IPL 2018, RCB vs DD: 5 reasons why Delhi lost

The second match of the Saturday doubleheader was a clash between two teams lying at the bottom of the table - Delhi Daredevils and the Royal Challengers Bangalore. RCB won the toss and invited Delhi to bat.

Delhi got off to a poor start as they lost both the openers with just 23 runs on the board. However, a brilliant partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant got the innings back on track. Some brilliant death overs hitting by Pant got Delhi to a respectable total of 174.

In reply, RCB also lost both the openers at the beginning. Quinton De Kock was particularly unlucky as he was caught in a mix up with Virat Kohli and was run out.

Thereafter, AB De Villiers decided to show everyone why he is rated as one of the best in the game. His swashbuckling knock of 90 runs off just 39 balls singlehandedly won the match for RCB.

Let us have a look at the 5 reasons why the Delhi Daredevils lost the contest.

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#1 Sluggish start with the bat

Delhi got off to the worst possible start with the bat. Their openers struggled to get going and there were just too many dot balls. Gautam Gambhir fell to the pace of Umesh Yadav in the third over trying to break the shackles.

Jason Roy was at sixes and sevens against the leg spin of Yuzvendra Chahal and was eventually bowled by him. The first boundary of Delhi’s innings came as late as in the fifth over. In fact, Delhi’s score of 28 runs of the first 6 overs was the lowest score in powerplay overs of this IPL.

#2 Big guns fail to fire

It is no big secret that Gautam Gambhir is way past his prime. Still the Daredevils opted for him at the auctions. However, the local Delhi lad has failed to repay the faith shown in him by the franchise. Gautam has scored just 81 runs off his 4 innings.

Jason Roy is exceptional against the pacers but struggles to get going when the spinners come on and was again outfoxed by Chahal today. Delhi expects a lot more out of Roy who is keeping the big-hitting kiwi Colin Munro out of the team.

Maxwell’s frailties against leg spin are well known and the “Big Show” failed to score big runs today as well. Delhi needs these big guns to fire if they want to remain competitive going ahead.

#3 Blistering knock from AB

AB De Villiers came into bat today when RCB were in a precarious position, having lost both their openers with not many runs on the board.

AB looked in good touch today as he spanked Shahbaz Nadeem for a couple of boundaries to kickstart his innings. He was not done with Nadeem there, as he smashed him for 3 more boundaries of his next over.

Everything that De Villiers hit today came from the middle of the bat. His marvellous counter-attack left the Delhi’s bowlers shell-shocked. He just did not allow any of the bowlers to settle with his audacious hitting. In the end, his excellent knock of 90 runs turned out to be the difference between the two sides.

#4 Spinners disappointed

RCB’s tweakers made full use of the spin on offer on today’s surface and picked up 3 crucial wickets between them. A lot was expected of Shahbaz Nadeem and Rahul Tewatia with the ball, but both of them were found wanting today. They just could not cope with the brilliance of AB De Villiers and struggled with their lengths.

Tewatia was too short with his length was dispatched for a couple of sixes in the midwicket region by AB. After being slog swept by AB, Nadeem lost his nerve and gave away some easy boundaries.

Nadeem who had been successful for Delhi in previous seasons has had a forgetful outing so far this year. The left-arm spinner has gone for plenty in all the matches that he has played and has picked up just 3 wickets. It is high time that the team management brings in the reliable Amit Mishra or the offie Jayant Yadav in his place.

#5 Morris disappoints, again

The Delhi Daredevils have retained Chris Morris this year owing to his stupendous performances during the last 2 years. However, Morris has struggled with both the bat as well as the ball this season.

The tall South African failed to pick up any wickets today and went for a massive 43 runs of his 4 overs. Morris struggled with his line today and was guilty of bowling too straight. Morris could not get his yorker going today and dished out some freebies.

His compatriot De Villiers duly obliged, smashing him for a four and a huge six in the 15th over. Morris needs to up his game a level or two if Delhi are to qualify for the playoffs.

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