IPL 2018: Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the Delhi Daredevils
The Delhi Daredevils has been one team which has been consistent underperformers despite sustained expectations. After making the semifinals in the first two years of the IPL, it has only been once that DD has got to the playoffs.
The primary reason for this is their instability, be it with the captaincy or the core group of players.
With each of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Dinesh Karthik, James Hopes, Mahela Jayawardene, Ross Taylor, David Warner, Kevin Pietersen, Zaheer Khan and Karun Nair having captained the side, there sure seems to be a lack of a set plan.
Too much chopping and changing has not allowed the players to understand their role properly and as a result, they have not been able to live up to the expectations.
However, this year DD has lined up a really balanced side and start the tournament as one of the favorites.
In this light, let us have a look at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the Delhi Daredevils in this year’s IPL.
Strengths
In IPL 2018, Gambhir makes a comeback to DD after seven long years. It is not only his dynamic captaincy but his consistency at the top of the order which will come in handy for DD.
Gambhir is a bit more than just a captain; he is a natural leader and thus will render the team to play around him.
This year’s auctions have also fared very well for the side due to which they have managed to bag suitable backups for most of their players.
DD have two of the finest tearaway overseas pacers in Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada. As far as the leg spinners are concerned, young Nepal spinner Sandeep Lamichhane will complement Amit Mishra this year for the Delhi franchise.