IPL 2019: 3 Batsmen that Delhi Daredevils should target at the auction

A highly-promising squad filled with exciting, young talent led by the dynamic and consistent captain in Gautam Gambhir, Delhi Daredevils looked all set to take IPL 2018 by storm and finally get their hands on an IPL trophy.

But what looked great on paper, could not be executed and implemented to the tee, as Gautam Gambhir failed and so did his teammates, to stitch together wins as DD ended at the bottom of the standings at the 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League.

While the Delhi Daredevils (DD) has managed a strong top-order batting with the likes of the recently traded in Shikhar Dhawan, and the retained - Prithvi Shaw, Colin Munro, Shreyas Iyer, and Manjot Kalra as possible options for the opening and the first down batsmen. It's the middle order which looks weak with the release of Glenn Maxwell, Vijay Shankar, Jason Roy, and Abhishek Sharma.

With just Rishabh Pant the only specialist middle-order batsman in the side, the DD needs to shore up their lineup with more batsmen at the upcoming, December 18 auctions.

Here are some options for the middle-order batsmen,

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#3 Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell was let go by the Daredevils before the upcoming auctions, then why should they bid for the man again?

This is similar to the Jaydev Unadkat-RR story, the team likes the player, he fits the bill but not at the price that he was bought for by the team at the previous auction. Maxwell was bought for ₹9 crore by the Daredevils at the 2018 auctions, but his performance of 169 runs in 12 innings at a sub-standard average of 14.08 made him one of the most overpriced players in the DD squad. This coupled with the fact that Cricket Australia would be calling its players back for camp before World Cup 2019, and hence they would be missing the May part of IPL is also another cause of concern.

Maxwell's performance, except the IPL stint, has been great this year with 591 runs in 16 innings at a terrific average of 53.72 and a swashbuckling strike rate of 157.60.

A handy right-arm off-break bowler, he is known to provide the crucial breakthroughs for his team when needed, and also a livewire on the field Maxwell would get you wickets one way or the other.

#2 Mohammad Shahzad

Mohammad Shahzad

This stocky, 30-year-old from Afghanistan has been bewildering the fitness-enthusiasts with his T20 exploits all over the world.

His 2018 has been terrific with 422 runs in 14 innings at an average of 30.14 and a strike rate of 146.52. This doesn't include his T10 statistics where he took the internet by storm in his very first appearance with 74* off a mere 16 deliveries adorned with 6 fours and 8 sixes against the likes of Jofra Archer and Thisara Perera.

Known for his all-around-the-wicket hitting ability, he is the second best exponent of the 360-degree batting style, the first being AB De Villiers. His fearlessness is his strength, and on his day he can take the match away from the opposition in a matter of a couple of overs.

Yet to make his IPL debut, this Afghani could be the x-factor that the Daredevils need to get their hands at the IPL trophy.

#1 Ross Taylor

New Zealand v England - 4th ODI

If a phoenix had to be humanized, Ross Taylor would be the perfect choice to be one. After a low 2016-17, Ross has risen through the ashes of International cricket in 2018 and how.

He is currently ranked 12th in Tests and 3rd in ODIs and has had a mind-blowing 2018 in all formats of the game. His numbers in T20s this year have also been terrific with 411 runs in 19 innings at an average of 45.66 and a strike rate of 125.68.

Ross has been missing at the IPL since 2014 when he incidentally had been a part of the Delhi Daredevils squad. A terrific middle-order batsman, Ross provides the side with the stability and leadership that they need in the middle overs for the likes of Rishabh Pant and Chris Morris to launch an attack upon at the end.