Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Before Delhi Daredevils’ last game, the big question was whether new leadership will see a turnaround in their fortunes. It was absolutely the case, with Shreyas Iyer the architect of a massive win against KKR. DD are in a position where they must win multiple games in a row to push for a playoffs spot, and face a CSK side looking to bounce back after a defeat to MI.
Whether Delhi Daredevils are truly back depends on how they back up their effort against KKR. Their margin of victory shocked us almost as much as he resignation of Gautam Gambhir as captain, and at the halfway point of the campaign, DD can put further pressure on the likes of RCB and MI in the push for a playoffs spot. Shreyas Iyer and the bowlers were simply superb in blowing KKR away – can DD show it wasn’t just a one-off?
Chennai Super Kings are also tasked with proving things weren’t just a one-off, but for different reasons. The finish to their innings against MI was flat, not consistent with their death-overs batting throughout the tournament so far. Just 78 runs were scored in the last ten overs a couple of nights ago, and their bowling lacked penetration throughout most of the MI innings. CSK’s bounce back factor will be put to the test against a DD side looking to build momentum.
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| What a knock it was by Shreyas Iyer vs KKR |
Key to a Chennai Super Kings win
In IPL 2018, CSK concede 9.38 runs per over after the powerplay overs. With MI needing 22 off two overs the other night, CSK conceded these runs quite comfortably at the end. Against a DD side that has had a massive confidence boost, CSK need to get their bowling right, because if they do, their
batting has enough runs in them to deliver victory.
Key to a Delhi Daredevils win
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DD now hold the highest score of IPL 2018 (219/4), and this will be their key to victory against a CSK side that struggles to control things after the powerplay overs.
If they fire again, CSK could be in for a tough night.
Possible teams:
Stats and Facts:
- Head-to-Head: Matches: 16, CSK 11, DD 5. This is the first time these two teams will play each other this season.
- CSK have their troubles with the ball, but with the bat, they have lost the fewest wickets (37) and have the highest overall scoring rate (9.54) in IPL 2018.
- Harbhajan Singh has taken the most wickets out of any bowler against DD (21 wickets at 20 with econ. 6.68).
- Glenn Maxwell vs CSK: 204 runs in four innings, SR 202.
- David Willey could very well play for CSK tonight: In middle overs of all T20s since IPL 2015, his SR is 170.6. At the death, it’s still a solid 157.5. With the ball, he only goes for 7.4 an over in powerplay overs.
