Series: Indian Premier League, 2016 Venue: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi Date & Time: Apr 27, 08:00 PM LOCAL
Raina’s men look better equipped to deal with the challenges likely to be posed by Zaheer’s men.
Exceeding expectations, Delhi Daredevils has done its
bit so far in the Indian Premier League to gain the respect of the
opposition. Now it is ready to test in-form Gujarat Lions in the battle
involving two serious contenders for the four-team playoffs.
After
three successive victories, the host is high on confidence having moved
to the third spot on the points-table. Significantly, victories over
Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians have
boosted the self-esteem of the individuals finding form early in the
competition.
Against the trend
Unlike Gujarat
Lions, Daredevils have also defended a total and won — something against
the trend this season. Zaheer and J-P. Duminy have shared their wisdom
with the younger teammates who have responded nicely so far. Though
Chris Morris is yet to fire in keeping with his all-round abilities, he
has played his role well in parts.
For a team that
started its campaign with a humbling defeat, Daredevils have recorded a
hat-trick of victories, in contrast to Lions’ run of three victories
followed by a defeat. But the visiting team, which has played a match
more, is here riding on a well-paced chase against Royal Challengers
Bangalore.
If Aaron Finch was the hero of the first
three victories, fellow-openers Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum showed
the way to a fourth.
A side that could keep James
Faulkner out of the playing XI, and still win, is surely close to
getting its best combination in place, though Ravindra Jadeja and Dale
Steyn are yet to strike form.
In any case, the
franchise should be happy that so far it has fared better than M.S.
Dhoni’s men from Rising Pune Supergiants, the other new team this
season.
On the
fitness status of Finch, the Lions’ coach Brad Hodge said, “Aaron’s
probably 50-50 at this stage. He went off to see a specialist in Mumbai.
He’ll fly back and join the squad. It was more of a precautionary
thing. He had an injury in Australia against India and he just felt
something that wasn’t quite right so that’s why he came off the field
last game. He didn’t want to have the same injury. He’s just gone off to
have it tested, but the good news is he is in pretty good shape.”
Overall, Lions look better equipped to deal with the challenges likely to be posed by Daredevils.
Importantly,
the visiting team has the batting to deal with the varied home attack.
How Zaheer deals with the Lions’ dreaded top-order will be watched
keenly.
Lacking depth
Daredevils’ young
batting trio of Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson and Karun Nair, along with
in-form opener Quinton de Kock and Duminy is settling in. Should Lions
strike early, the host could have a serious problem since it lacks the
depth in batting.
Lions have no such worries. They carry enough firepower in their arsenal to bury the opposition.
Going by their results so far, Lions would like to chase, something that Daredevils, too, wouldn’t mind.
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