IPL 6: Why the Delhi Daredevils can make it to the playoffs

When the BCCI sent a very firm statement to the curators of the various grounds being used in the IPL, stating they should prepare sporting wickets and not bow down to the pressure of the franchisee owners, they were hinting more at the likes of Kolkata Knight Riders, the Chennai Super Kings or the Royal Challengers Bangalore – basically teams that tailor make their wickets to the strengths of their squad. They were definitely not considering the Delhi Daredevils (or maybe even the Pune Warriors, who seem to find any wicket a minefield).

The Delhi Daredevils have enjoyed some of the best crowds across the IPL; but more often than not, they have disappointed their fans at home.

The Daredevils have played 34 games at Feroz Shah Kotla, won 14 & lost 18 while 2 games were abandoned. Even with this record, they have managed to top the league table twice. The first time around, the Daredevils finished with a whopping 20 points from their 14 games. However, they didn’t play a single match at the Kotla because the commute between Durban and Delhi was proving to be a bit of a bother. Last season, they finished with 22 points from 16 games. They did play 8 games at the Kotla, losing 3. Now I know they managed to win more than they lost at home last season, but they also lost only 5 games in total.

Let’s compare that to other teams that have made the semifinals of the IPL three times or more, just like the Delhi Daredevils.

The Chennai Super Kings – The most successful team of the IPL are also a hurdle that Delhi is yet to overcome at the Chepauk. They are also the most successful team at home, winning 25 of the 38 games they have played there. Mumbai have won 19 of their 33 home games, which have either been played at the Wankhede or the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The Royal Challengers Bangalore have won 22 out the 35 games they’ve played at the Chinnaswamy with a remarkable 100% record at home this year, the only team to do so other than Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.

Take one glance at the great sport teams around the world and what jumps out at you is their record at home. Look at Manchester United at Old Trafford, the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium I, II and III, or the LA Lakers at the Staples Center. Needless to say, the Daredevils are still infants compared to these legendary sporting franchises, but they can learn a trick or few lifting a few pages from their opuses.

However, all is not bleak for the Daredevils. They have only one match left at home and they are yet to play the Pune Warriors, Sunrisers Hyderabad as well as the Rajasthan Royals, against who, they have a favourable record at their respective home grounds. The bad news is they have to play a Chennai Super Kings side that they have not managed to defeat at the Chepauk since 2010 and a Kings XI Punjab side who they have a 50-50 record against in Mohali and in Dharamsala, where they will play their penultimate game of the season.

Looking at the league table, Delhi might look down and out with 6 points, but they are just 3 games behind the playoff places, and given their remaining fixtures and any sports enthusiasts’ love for a Cinderella story, the Daredevils can sneak into the top 4. And their road to recovery starts… on the road.