Delhi Daredevils are one of those IPL franchises which have never been able to live up to the expectations. Forget about winning the title, they have not even got a taste of the IPL finals.
They have not progressed beyond the semifinal stage even once. In the last two editions of the tournament, Delhi Daredevils have not been able to qualify for the playoffs.
Though, the team underwent major squad surgery in the last edition, DD failed to perform, which can be understood by their last position finish. Delhi can only go up from here, surely.
During the first few matches played in the UAE in IPL 2014, they looked decent, but when the IPL kick-started in India, the Delhi Daredevils put up a below par performance. They only won two matches last season overall.
The Delhi side were one of the most active teams during the IPL 2015 auction and they seem to have conducted some smart business, making some of the biggest buys in the auction too.
Apart from signing big name players like Yuvraj Singh, they have bought in players like Travis Head, Albie Morkel and Angelo Matthews as foreign players, who could prove to be handy for the team. With JP Duminy, who was one of the standout performers for the Daredevils with 410 runs against his name last season, as captain, expect him to lead from the front.
But, the team would look up to Yuvraj Singh in the batting department. With the elegant left-hander being out of the Indian team, some solid performances in the IPL could help him get back in the reckoning.
So, one can expect the Punjab lad to come out all guns blazing in this IPL, which might also help his team go all the way. The left hander's talent has never been in doubt, but consistency will be the key if he is to help the Daredevils to at least make the playoffs.
One look at the composition of Delhi Daredevils reflects a well balanced side in both the batting as well as the bowling department.
IPL is not always about having the best foreign players, but also possessing some consistent domestic cricketers, which seems to have been a formula opted by Daredevils, as they have good Indian players in their lineup.
Apart from Yuvraj Singh, domestic performers such as Manoj Tiwary, Kedar Jadhav, Mayank Agarwal, Amit Mishra and Jaidev Unadkat adds a great depth to the squad.
With Zaheer Khan's experience, Amit Mishra's leg breaks and Mohammed Shami's form, they have a potent Indian attack. Add to it, Imran Tahir's wrist spin and Nathan Coulter-Nile's pace, they resemble a deadly bowling unit.
Expect Gary Kirsten, who is the head coach of Delhi Daredevils, to get the best out of his players. The former India coach will be familiar with a number of players as a few of them are from his native South Africa while there are plenty of India internationals in the squad as well.
Key Player: Mohammed Shami was one the best bowlers in the recently concluded World Cup, where he managed to scalp 17 wickets. Not only did he take wickets, but he did not give any easy runs to batsmen. If the Indian spearhead can replicate his World Cup form for DD, Gary Kirsten will be a happy man and so will the rest of his team members.
Get the Full Delhi Daredevils Squad HERE
