IPL 2018, KKR vs DD: Delhi Daredevils’ probable playing XI for their game in Kolkata

After revamping their team (once again) this year, it seemed like Delhi Daredevils were going down the same path as they lost their first two games against Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals.

However, an inspiring (and thrilling) win against Mumbai Indians where they chased down 195 might have injected some confidence and momentum to the Gautam Gambhir-led side. With 2 points in 3 matches, DD is currently seventh and they will look to continue their winning momentum and take a few steps forward in the points table.

Thus, here we look at the likely playing XI for Delhi for their away fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders.

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Openers

Jason Roy will look to build on the good start he's got in this IPL.

Jason Roy had played only 3 IPL games prior to this season and had his share of struggles against spin. He replaced Colin Munro at the top of the order in DD’s last game against MI. Chasing 195, Roy took DD home with a superb 91 (not out). His brilliance gave Delhi their first points of the season and he will continue to open the batting.

It is certainly going to an emotional game for Gautam Gambhir as he makes his return to Kolkata, a place where he led the franchise (KKR) for 7 years which included 2 title triumphs. Gambhir started the tournament with a good half-century. He surprisingly didn’t bat in a truncated game against RR before he made 15 in the last game.

Middle-order

Pant has a strike-rate of 182.69 in this IPL.

Shreyas Iyer played the supporting role to perfection in the last game. With DD showing flexibility in the batting order, Iyer’s batting position is uncertain. But he came in at No. 3 when DD batted first in their opening game. Hence, he might come in at No. 3 if a wicket falls early.

Glenn Maxwell arrived in India late and missed the first game of the tournament. He looked rusty in his first game but he was looking good in the last game but was dismissed by a stunning catch from Hardik Pandya. He will look to get a big score against KKR.

Rishabh Pant has got starts in all three games so far. But his 47 in the last game provided DD with a perfect platform for the chase of 195. Despite scoring just 95 runs in this series, he has a strike-rate of 182.69 in 3 games. The wicket-keeper batsman will look to continue his hitting form against KKR. Also, he batted at No, 5 in the first game and No. 3 in the last game. Thus, he might be used as a floater depending on the match situation.

All-rounders

Morris might come back into the XI in place of Dan Christian.

Vijay Shankar has not had a lot to do in this tournament so far. In the first game, he batted at No. 4 and scored a run-a-ball 13. He scored 3 in a truncated game coming into bat in the last over of the chase. He wasn’t required to bat in the last game as Jason Roy and Shreyas Iyer finished the game. He hasn’t bowled a single over as well in his IPL. Hence, he will be looking for a proper opportunity with both bat and ball.

Chris Morris might not have had the best of starts to this year’s IPL, but the pace-friendly nature of the Eden Gardens pitch might tempt DD to play him ahead of Dan Christian who did well in the last game. Morris has been expensive in the two games he’s played, but he might like the pitch at Eden Gardens. He has also been good with the bat, coming in at No. 7 and scoring some vital runs.

Lower-order and Bowlers

Trent Boult might find the conditions at the Eden Gardens to his liking.

In the last two games, DD has taken a bold call by opting for Rahul Tewatia ahead of the experienced Amit Mishra who is the second-highest wicket taker in the history of the IPL. But the 24-year-old leggie has repaid the faith of the team management. He finished with figures of 2/36 and played a big role in DD restricting Mumbai to 194. Thus, Tewatia will most likely continue to play ahead of Mishra.

Over the years, Shahbaz Nadeem has been an underrated spinner. He takes the new ball on most occasions and keeps it very tight. He might not pick up a heap of wickets, but he offers a lot of control. He is most likely going to continue playing as the second spinner despite not having the best of starts to this year’s IPL.

Mohammed Shami has been very good with the ball, especially at the death. He’s brought in all his experience and has restricted the run-flow at the death. Against MI, he bowled 3 overs in the death and conceded just 22 runs. Also, Shami has played a lot of cricket for Bengal at the Eden Gardens and knows the pitch well. Hence, he will try to use his experience and will try to exploit the pace-friendly nature of the Eden Gardens

Trent Boult has been on the expensive side in the first three games but he has picked up wickets. He’s taken 4 wickets and with Boult having played for KKR last year, he would know the conditions pretty well. Hence, along with Shami, he will look to share his inputs about the nature of the surface to the team.