IPL 2018, DD vs CSK: 5 players to watch out for

As the 55th match of the IPL 11 takes us back to Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi the Chennai Super Kings who already assured a playoff berth will lock horns ag against this year's laggards, the Delhi Daredevils on Friday.

Having already qualified to the knock-out phase, the MS Dhoni-led team will now focus on finishing at top two to avail themselves a second opportunity in the playoffs.

On the other hand, nothing has gone right for Delhi Daredevils this season except the performances of youngsters and Trent Boult. Having already eliminated, Delhi will now be eager to come up with a performance that can provide them some consolation after a wretched season.

With one team eying an extra chance in playoffs and the other fighting for a wooden spoon, let us take a look at five players who are likely to play pivotal roles in this clash:

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#5 Prithvi Shaw

The skipper of India's 2018 U-19 winning team, Prithvi Shaw, was only included in Delhi's playing XI in their sixth fixture of the season. But the 18-year-old has made the entire cricketing world sit and take notice of his incredible batting skills within the limited chances he got.

Prithvi's classy innings of 62 and 47 were instrumental in Delhi's last two victories against KKR and RR respectively. The temperament Shaw showed against Mitchell Johnson in their match against KKR showed the cricketing world that he is all ready to represent India at the highest level.

The Mumbai lad has thus far scored 216 runs in 7 innings at an average of 30.86 and a staggering strike rate of 160.

With Delhi playing a dead rubber, expect Prithvi Shaw to unveil all the shots in his arsenal.

#4 Trent Boult

Trent Boult

Thus far the 28-year-old has picked 15 wickets in 12 games going at 9.24 runs per over. Given his ability to make early inroads and deliver soaring yorkers at the death, Boult will be a key player for Delhi in this clash. The New Zealand speedster has been in exceptional form this season playing for Delhi Daredevils.

Boult's numbers specifically at Feroz Shah Kotla are pretty decent this season as he picked more than half(8) of his total wickets(15) of the season at the very same ground.

#3 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina

After being dismissed very cheaply on a single digit score in their last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Raina must be raring to deliver in the match against Delhi to get to a great form before the all-important playoffs.

The southpaw has thus far scored 315 runs in 11 innings at an average of 35.0 and a strike rate of 135.19 to become the only player in the history of the tournament to score 300 plus runs in all editions.

As Chennai eying the top spot, expect a big score from the Mr.Consistent of IPL today.

#2 Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu

After being bought by Chennai Super Kings for Rs.2.2 Crore this season, the Andhra-born cricketer has been giving solid starts for them with Shane Watson at the top.

Before this edition, the best IPL season for Rayudu was IPL 2011, wherein he scored 395 runs representing Mumbai Indians. With 535 runs in 12 innings at an average of 48.64 thus far this season, Rayudu has already bettered his previous best by a huge margin.

Riding high on confidence after that flawless century in the last match against the mighty bowling attack of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rayudu would want to continue the same in the clash against DD.

#1 Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant

The hard-hitting left-hander from Uttarakhand has been single-handedly carrying the burden of Delhi Daredevils batting throughout the season. The way Pant dismantled Rashid Khan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar by scoring 70 runs off 24 balls against them in his knock of 128 off 63, speaks volumes of the talent he possesses and the form he is currently in.

The swashbuckling batsman has thus far smashed 582 runs in 12 innings at an average of 52.91 and an incredible strike rate of 179.63.

Given the form he is in, expect another Rishabh Pant special in their clash against CSK.