IPL 2018: 3 things Delhi Daredevils should do to win their match against Kolkata Knight Riders

Having won their first match in IPL 2018 by defeating defending champions Mumbai Indians after two consecutive defeats in their starting two matches, a confident Delhi Daredevils will look forward to their second win in IPL 2018, when they take on struggling former champions Kolkata Knight Riders.

For Delhi Daredevils skipper Gautam Gambhir it will be a sort of a reunion, as he returns to Eden Gardens to take on his former franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, with whom he was associated from 2011-2017 and led them to two IPL trophies under his captaincy in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

Having Gautam Gambhir as a skipper will be a huge advantage for Delhi Daredevils, as he has better knowledge of conditions at Eden Gardens and would know the strength and weaknesses of his former franchise in and out, and will have many strategies up his sleeves in order to help Delhi Daredevils overcome his former franchise.

So, in this article, we will look at 3 things or strategies Delhi Daredevils can adopt to defeat Kolkata Knight Riders in today's match:

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#3 Play an extra seamer in place of Vijay Shankar

Avesh Khan quick pace could come in handy for Delhi Daredevils.

Just like Ravindra Jadeja in case of Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils team management need to explain the role of Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar in Delhi Daredevils playing line up.

As per the look of things, it looks like Delhi Daredevils have selected Vijay Shankar as an all-rounder who will play the finisher's role with the bat and chip in few overs when main bowlers have an off-day. But, the way Vijay Shankar struggled against the variations of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman in the final of Nidahas Trophy which almost cost India the match means that Vijay Shankar needs to improve a lot to don the finisher's hat for Delhi Daredevils.

And also, skipper Gautam Gambhir does not have much faith in Vijay Shankar's bowling as Vijay Shankar yet to bowl in this IPL despite the main bowlers going for runs in two of the three matches played by Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2018 so far.

With a strong batting line-up down till Chris Morris at No. 7, it won't be a bad idea for Delhi Daredevils to play an extra seamer like youngster Avesh Khan who impressed everyone with his quick pace in his only IPL match last year, in place of Vijay Shankar against Kolkata Knight Riders.

With Eden Gardens surface being more suitable for fast bowlers with quick pace, Avesh Khan's quick pace and bounce could trouble Kolkata Knight Riders batsmen, especially the West Indian duo of Sunil Narine and Andre Russell who mostly struggle against short pitch bowling at quick pace.

#2 Promote Chris Morris in the batting order

Chris Morris

South African all-rounder Chris Morris is set to return to Delhi Daredevils playing line up, after missing Delhi Daredevils last match against defending champions Mumbai Indians due to illness.

Chris Morris is the currently the best player in Delhi Daredevils franchise and one of their trump cards because of his all-round ability, as he can bowl at quick pace and can deliver pinpoint yorkers consistently and can hit the cricket ball a long distance.

One of the major reasons why Delhi Daredevils failed to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2016 and 2017 despite having one of the best teams in both the editions, was mainly because Delhi Daredevils team management reluctance to send Chris Morris up the batting order as a result of which Delhi Daredevils lost many close games in 2016 and 2017 edition of IPL.

The trend of not sending Chris Morris up the batting order was continued in IPL 2018 also when Rahul Tewatia and Vijay Shankar were sent ahead of Chris Morris in Delhi Daredevils opening match of IPL 2018 against Kings XI Punjab which as a result of which Delhi Daredevils scored 20-25 runs less while batting first.

If Delhi Daredevils team management are really serious about winning the IPL 2018, then they need to send their best player Chris Morris up the batting order at No.4 depending on the situation to face as many balls as possible instead of being sent to bat No. 7.

#1 Improve their bowling during batting power play

Amit Mishra was smashed for 24 runs in one over by KL Rahul during the batting power play.

Currently, the main concern for Delhi Daredevils skipper Gautam Gambhir and team management is Delhi Daredevils poor bowling during the field restrictions in initial 6 overs as almost all their bowlers have leaked runs during batting power play.

With an economy rate of 11.5 runs per over, Delhi Daredevils bowlers have the worst economy rate during batting powerplay among all the 8 teams in IPL 2018 so far.

And with Kolkata Knight Riders starting 3 batsmen at the top being Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn and Robin Uthappa who are known to go berserk during batting power play, Delhi Daredevils have a task cut out to improve their bowling during first 6 overs of field restrictions.

If Delhi Daredevils bowlers do manage to improve their poor bowling in IPL 2018 so far against Kolkata Knight Riders in today's game, then Delhi Daredevils would become one of the difficult teams to beat in IPL 2018.

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