Sanju Samson, Karun Nair, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant – four of the most talented batsmen you can ask for in India, but also four who can frustrate to no end. During a five-match losing streak in IPL 2017, it was the frustration part that took hold of these DD batsmen, especially during a chase, when a poor decision or an awful shot would see them throw their wicket away and with it put their team under undue pressure.
However, on Tuesday, at the Feroz Shah Kotla, with the Delhi Daredevils needing a win to stay in the hunt for the playoffs, the talent part of these four batsmen shone through.
Come Thursday, against the Gujarat Lions, DD need that talent part to stay, and help them to another victory as they look to climb away from the lower parts of the IPL 2017 points table and all the way to the top four.
Samson and Karun will again be tasked with opening the innings for the Delhi Daredevils, and be that while batting first or chasing, a strong start will be needed.
Karun notched his highest score since he completed that triple hundred against England when he made 39 in the big chase against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, and the stand-in DD skipper, who has taken over leadership duties in the absence of the injured Zaheer Khan, will want to continue that promising form and go from 39 to 79 or 89 if possible.
With Iyer and Pant capable of the wonderful as well, DD will bank on these four to guide them to victory, or at least set up a win for the likes of Corey Anderson and Chris Morris/the bowling department.
The Gujarat Lions, just like DD, need a win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, and after suffering two heartbreaking losses to the two Maharashtra teams in IPL 2017, their bouncebackability will be put to the test.
It isn't easy to recover from a Super Over loss or a defeat thanks to a ridiculous innings from one man, but recover they must or bid goodbye to the playoffs this season, a season which should be their last, considering CSK and Rajasthan Royals are set to come back in next year.
Unlike the DD batting lineup, GL's is filled with experience – there is Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Dwayne Smith, Ravindra Jadeja and James Faulkner. All these players have been in must-win positions before, so they need to bank on that experience and find a way to trip up this young DD team.
When and where to watch live
DD vs GL IPL 2017 Match 42 is set to begin at 8pm IST. Live streaming and TV information is below.
India: TV: Sony Six/HD, Sony ESPN/HD, Sony Max. Live Streaming: Hotstar.
International: Live Streaming: Cricketgateway.
UK: TV: Sky Sports 1. Live Streaming: Watch Sky Sports.
USA: TV: Willow TV. Live Streaming: Willow TV Online.
Middle East: TV: OSN Sports Cricket. Live Streaming: OSN Play.
South Africa: TV: SuperSport Two. Live Streaming: SuperSport Live Video.
