Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Within the context of the amazing finish to the IPL 2018 group stage, this is one of the lower key matches.
Delhi Daredevils are certain to finish last, an extremely disappointing result looking at the talent they had on paper before the tournament began. It started with optimism under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir, and then chaos as Gambhir resigned and wasn’t considered good enough to be in the side. There have been flashes of brilliance from the likes of Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer, as well as the introduction of talented youngsters Sandeep Lamichhane and Abhishek Sharma, which will give DD fans hope for next season. Can DD put in a complete performance here to recoup some pride?
This game certainly means more to Chennai Super Kings, though. How mighty impressive they were against SRH, thrashing the top of the table side to underpin their threat to this year’s title. A win today will see them take top spot, and put them in pole position to host the Qualifier against SRH, instead of travelling to Hyderabad.
Key to a Delhi Daredevils win
DD’s powerplay bowling has been disappointing in IPL 2018, conceding 50 runs or more in 11 out of their 12 matches. Against CSK’s in form opening pair of Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu, more of the same from DD will surely see them stare a huge total in the face. They’ll need early wickets, or at worst, stem the run flow with straight bowling and tidy fielding.
If (a big “if) their bowling is tidy, DD are a good chance of winning, as CSK are not the finished product when it comes to their own bowling. Expect the young guns of DD to give it their all against a CSK attack that has frustrated MS Dhoni at times.
Key to a Chennai Super Kings win
CSK blew SRH out of contention last Sunday with amazing power in the powerplay and middle overs. If they do the same to DD tonight, I’m not so sure if their opponents have the skill, or motivation, to come back from it.
Ambati Rayudu was simply superb against the tournament’s best attack last Sunday, and he will be key again along with the likes of Shane Watson, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni. In a game like this, it is a fantastic opportunity for CSK’s batsmen to keep their form going ahead of the playoffs, and get first place for a home Qualifier en route to the IPL 2018 Final.
Also, against SRH, one could say they conceded 20 or 30 more than they would have liked after the start Deepak Chahar provided for them with the ball. This is an opportunity for CSK to get their bowling right ahead of the playoffs. If they can, watch out.
Possible teams
For DD, Jason Roy and Colin Munro have been disappointments, based on the fact that neither has nailed down their spot. Another spot up for contention is Liam Plunkett possibly coming in for Junior Dala.
I’m really keen to see how Abhishek Sharma (46* off 19 v RCB) and Sandeep Lamichhane (1/25 off 4 v RCB) go here after impressive performances first up.
Delhi Daredevils XI: 1. Prithvi Shaw, 2. Colin Munro, 3. Shreyas Iyer (c), 4. Rishabh Pant (wk), 5. Abhishek Sharma, 6. Vijay Shankar, 7. Liam Plunkett, 8. Amit Mishra, 9. Sandeep Lamichhane, 10. Trent Boult, 11. Shahbaz Nadeem
For CSK, they could stick with the same team that impressively beat SRH.
Chennai Super Kings XI: 1. Shane Watson, 2. Ambati Rayudu, 3. Suresh Raina, 4. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 5. Sam Billings, 6. Ravindra Jadeja, 7. Dwayne Bravo, 8. Harbhajan Singh, 9. Deepak Chahar, 10. Shardul Thakur/Karn Sharma, 11. Lungi Ngidi
Stats and Facts
- Head-to-Head: Matches 17, DD 5, CSK 12
- CSK have won four of five matches at the Feroz Shah Kolta Stadium.
- In the previous meeting between the two teams in IPL 2018, CSK smashed 211/4, on the back of Shane Watson’s 78 (40) and MS Dhoni’s 51* (22). They won by 13 runs
- DD have the worst economy rate of any team (9.34), whereas CSK have the best scoring rate of any team (9.31).
- With a win, CSK will go top of the league.
Prediction
Nothing to play for but pride for DD, but a nice incentive is up for grabs for CSK. I will be surprised if CSK don’t win this game (weather permitting). They have the quality to take it to a poorly performing DD bowling line up, and I think will have too many runs for them.
