IPL 2018, DD vs RCB: Delhi Daredevils (DD) predicted XI against Royal Challengers Bangalore 

It’s been another disappointing season for Delhi Daredevils. Gautam Gambhir stepped down from captaincy mid-way through the season and hence, Shreyas Iyer was given the responsibility. The results have been better as DD have won 2 out of their last 5 games after losing 5 out of the first 6 matches.

Despite Rishabh Pant’s heroics in the last game, DD slumped to a 9-wicket defeat against table toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). That defeat has meant that their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs are almost dead (as they need to win every game and hope that a lot of results go their way). But they will look to get back to winning ways and not only spoil RCB’s chances but also try not to finish with the wooden spoon.

Hence, let’s take a look at the probable playing XI for the Delhi side.

After Gautam Gambhir has dropped himself, Prithvi Shaw got an opportunity and has been very good. He’s looked in great touch and in fact, despite playing just six games, Shaw is DD’s third highest run-getter this season (214 runs). Hence, he will continue to open the batting and look to give DD a good start.

Delhi have switched between Jason Roy and Colin Munro as their overseas opener, but the latter has not looked great. Hence, Jason Roy who was drafted in the XI last game should continue to open alongside Shaw despite scoring just 11. His first innings this year was a match-winning 91 but since then he has not been able to give DD the start they’ve been looking for.

Shreyas Iyer started off the tournament poorly but ever since he’s been made the captain, he has taken more responsibility. He’s scored four 50s and a 44 in his last 7 innings and has just one single-digit score (which came in the last game against SRH). Like the previous few games, Iyer will look to lead from the front.

Rishabh Pant is currently the highest run-getter of the tournament. The Delhi wicket-keeper batsman has been in terrific form in recent times. His last four innings read – 79, 69, 18 and 128 (not out). In the previous game against the best bowling attack of the competition, he scored a scintillating ton where he scored 128 out of the 187 DD scored. Thus, the 20-year-old will be aiming to hold onto to that Orange Cap for long and hence, will be looking for another good score.

Glenn Maxwell has been one of the biggest disappointments for DD this year. He’s scored just 142 runs in 10 innings and has not looked impressive at all. In fact, he has just one 30+ score (47) which came in a losing cause against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Vijay Shankar has been used as a finisher by DD. He didn’t do a lot in the first half of the tournament as despite being in the playing XI, he wasn’t used effectively. Now, he has been getting chances and has done decently. He did get a good fifty against CSK and has looked in good touch since then. He’s finished well in the last few games and DD will hope to he can continue the good form.

Rahul Tewatia started the tournament well but tapered away. In fact, Tewatia is DD’s second-highest wicket-taker. He’s taken 6 wickets in 8 games and his economy has been better than that of Shahbaz Nadeem. Hence, with Nadeem having poor returns in his last few games (where he has failed to pick up a wicket in the last three games), DD might look to give Tewatia another go.

Liam Plunkett had an excellent debut (3/17) but has been expensive since then. He has also failed to pick up wickets. In fact, he’s taken just one wicket since his debut game. However, he will most likely continue to feature in the XI as DD don’t have a lot of death bowling options.

Harshal Patel was promoted up the order (to No. 5) in the last game to give impetus to the innings. He used the opportunity well as he struck a nice 17-ball 24 before getting run out. With the ball, he’s had returns of 1/33 and 1/32 in the two games he’s played. Thus, he will most likely be the third seamer in the DD bowling attack.

Amit Mishra is the second highest wicket-taker in IPL history but was dropped after a lackluster first game. However, with other spinners not performing as well as DD would’ve like, the 35-year-old leggie found his way back in the XI. Since then, he’s been good and has picked up a wicket almost every game.

Trent Boult has carried the DD bowling attack almost single-handedly this season. He’s taken 13 wickets in 11 games so far and has been Delhi’s go-to bowler. Boult will be looking to finish the season with good performances in the last three games.