The Delhi Daredevils play their first home game of the ongoing season and will look to change their fortunes when they meet the Kings XI Punjab on Monday (April 23) evening.
The Daredevils have played 5 games with just 1 win and are at the bottom of the points table, struggling to perform together as a unit. Against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their previous encounter, DD’s hopes of a win were shattered by the brilliance of AB de Villiers. In a tricky run chase of 175, ABD came to Bengaluru’s rescue and helped RCB accumulate 2 points on the table with his 39 ball 90.
DD have a few issues with their bowling- especially their experienced bowlers Mohammad Shami and Chris Morris. Shami and Morris have both underperformed to their potential in the ongoing season and have looked completely ineffective. Morris who was expected to be a death overs specialist for the Delhi Daredevils has conceded plenty of runs and batsmen have found him pretty easy to score off. Similarly, Shami at the start of the innings hasn’t quite looked threatening. Their return to form would be critical for Delhi’s campaign this season.
The Kings XI on the other hand are a much happier and energetic camp going into this match. Punjab have won four out of their last five games and are looking pretty well, especially with the form of Chris Gayle and KL Rahul at the top of the order. Karnataka duo- Mayank Agarwal and Karun Nair have also been amongst the runs. Punjab would try and work on their pace bowling department a little bit- their least effective department so far.
Gautam Gambhir can be the key tonight as he has been out of touch after a good knock in Delhi's first game. Rishabh Pant and Glenn Maxwell too are excellent strikers of the ball, although Maxwell’s consistency is a big grey area for the Delhi Daredevils think tank, he can be change the tide of the match in no time, when in full flow.
KL Rahul and Aaron Finch, who might come out to open the innings since Chris Gayle might miss out because of a niggle would be the key. Punjab has been phenomenal in the batting power play and would try and continue their dominance.
As far as bowling is concerned, Mujeeb ur Rehman and Andrew Tye for Kings XI and Trent Boult and the spinning options Amit Mishra/Shahbaz Nadeem for the Delhi Daredevils will be the players to watch out for.
A cracker of a contest, the first one from Delhi, awaits us tonight. Broadcast Starts at 20:00 Hours (IST).
