IPL 2017, DD vs. RCB: Delhi Daredevils' probable XI tonight against Royal Challengers Bangalore
After scoring a nail-biting win over the Rising Pune Supergiant, the Delhi Daredevils now go up against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Firoz Shah Kotla in their last game of the season. Both these teams were the first two to be knocked out of the playoffs contention and today, both the teams would want to sign off on a high note by securing a win even though it is a zero-sum game.
The highlight of this season for the Daredevils has been the batting performances of youngsters such as Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer and undeniably the team’s future is bright. We have to wait and watch what calls the franchise make with respect to next year’s IPL auctions.
With last game left here is a glimpse at the probable XI for DD for their clash against RCB.
Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson is the only Indian batsman so far in this year’s IPL to score a ton and has a few more handy contributions to his name. His dismissal in the previous game against RPS was ugly as he made a very poor judgement while running between the wickets and seemed in a happy-go-lucky frame of mind to stay in the thick of things. However, he has been one of the highest run-getters for the side and will look to recompense in tonight’s game.
Karun Nair
Nair broke the shackles in the last game against RSP with a clinical 64 off 45 deliveries. Prior to this, however, he had not done much with the bat and greatly needed this.
Rishabh Pant
Pant surely is a candidate for IPL’s emerging player this season. The hard-hitting left-hander played a useful cameo in the previous game – scoring 36 of 22. He most likely should be sent to open the innings as the young man has shown he is worth his salt and deserves the opportunity to spend more time at the crease. He will be looking to go big tonight and cast an impression on the Indian selectors for future selection after missing out on the Champions Trophy.
Shreyas Iyer
Iyer has been DD’s bankable player in the middle order from his very first game. He was dismissed cheaply in last game but is expected to keep the runs flowing through the middle overs if DD need a big first innings score or if they require to chase down a target in tonight’s game.
Marlon Samuels
Samuels is the latest entry into the team and played a fiery innings of 27 from 21 in the preceding match against RPS. He is a clever all-rounder who could provide stability to both the departments and lends additional firepower to the underbelly of Delhi’s batting line-up.
Corey Anderson
Anderson is the ‘go to’ man for the team when it comes to boosting the run rate. He has shown he can smack the ball long but the areas of concern are his consistency and ability to convert good starts into big scores. He did not get to do much with the ball in the last game as he was used only for the one over. But he does provide the skipper with a neat bowling option.
Carlos Brathwaite
Brathwaite the big man from the Caribbean will presumably be in the squad as most of the other overseas players from South Africa have returned home for national duties. His role will be to go berserk and take on the opposition’s bowling cartel and make an impact in the concluding game for the team.
Pat Cummins
The Australian hasn’t had a very the best of IPL seasons as he to go through a few rough patches which saw him concede runs in clusters. However, the pacer has also had his patches of success with the ball courtesy of his pace and bounce and will look forward to capitalising on them.
Zaheer Khan
The Delhi skipper has left no stones unturned when it comes to his bowling, he has made use of all the experience he has acquired throughout his career. He has bowled with surgical precision and has maintained a commendable economy all along the tournament and will most certainly look to do the same tonight’s game as well.
Amit Mishra
Mishra has rather had an odd IPL season, not putting his best foot forward and leaking runs from the first game. He will need to play out of his skins to pull the attention of the Indian selectors.
Mohammad Shami
Shami’s return to the squad has benefited the team. He runs down at the batsmen with vigorous pace and provides the vital break-through. He has delivered and will be expected to do the same in the last game as well.