Delhi Daredevils started the IPL 2016 in a grand manner, winning three of their first four matches, but the team has hit a slump of late. Delhi Daredevils have lost their last two matches, and need to win both their remaining matches to increase their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.
It is not going to be easy for the Delhi Daredevils as they face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Raipur on Friday, and face the formidable Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday. However, the Zaheer Khan-led side will have to focus on their game against SRH at present.
One of the main reasons for Delhi Daredevils not performing up to the mark may be their unsettled playing XI, which has been a cause of concern. They have made too many changes in their playing XI in IPL 2016. With this crucial game against SRH, there is a serious need for DD to come with their best XI players on the field.
Quniton de Kock and Shreyas Iyer should open the batting, followed by the likes of Karun Nair and Sanju Samson. Though their South African batsman JP Duminy has failed to shine with the bat, he should get another look in. Duminy, on his day, can win games single-handedly.
Imran Tahir should be selected ahead of Nathan Coulter-Nile. If the two spinners – Imran Tahir and Amit Mishra – bowl in tandem and weave their magic through, DD could be in a comfortable position.
SRH have a problem of their own. Ashish Nehra, one of their experienced stars, has been ruled out of the competition. Barinder Sran, who has been decent this IPL 2016, will replace the talismanic Delhi bowler. So the onus on the bowling department will primarily fall on Mustafizur Rahman, who has been sensational with his off-cutters and other varieties. Very few batsmen have been able to dominate the bowler.
SRH have a solid opening pair of David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan, and the duo has been brilliant. In Yuvraj Singh, Moises Henriques and Deepak Hooda, they have quality finishers.
Besides the forced change of Nehra, one does not see any modification in their playing XI against DD.
Expected playing XI: Delhi Daredevils: Quinton de Kock(wk), Shreyas Iyer, Karun Nair, Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, JP Duminy, Chris Morris, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan (c ), Imran Tahir, Mohammed Shami
Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner (c ), Shikhar Dhawan, Deepak Hooda, Yuvraj Singh, Ben Cutting, Naman Ojha (wk), Moises Henriques, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Karn Sharma, Mustafizur Rahman, Barinder Sran
