IPL 2019: Best Delhi Daredevils XI from the retained Players

Delhi Daredevils are one of the three teams in the IPL who are yet to win their maiden title. The team from the capital city finished at the bottom of the point table, their fourth time, but this time they did not go down without fighting. A little bit of luck and they could easily have been in top 4. Unlike 2011, 2013 and 2014 seasons, the 2018 season their points reached double figures, and for the first time in the IPL, a team with double digits finished at the bottom.

The 2018 season saw DD bring back local boy Gautam Gambhir and hand over the captaincy to him. Expectations were high for the southpaw to deliver the way he did for Kolkata Knight Riders. But things did not pan out as expected and Gambhir opted out of captaincy midway, and the management decided to hand over the captaincy to Shreyas Iyer and Gambhir was subsequently dropped from the side.

Iyer then flourished with the bat along with Rishabh Pant but DD still failed to win games, though they were competent enough. There were many close games which could have gone either way but DD were at the receiving end more often than not.

After a disappointing season, going into the auction for the next season, the management decided to release as many as 10 players, including big names such as Gautam Gambhir, Jason Roy, Glenn Maxwell and Mohammad Shami. Here we look at the best possible playing XI among the retained players:

Openers - Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw

The biggest trade happened between DD and SRH as the former got their hands on Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan in place of Shahbaz Nadeem, Vijay Shankar and Abhishek Sharma. Though all three of them were immensely talented, Daredevils finally got their hands on a reliable opener as the southpaw returns home team for the first time since 2010.

Prithvi Shaw who impressed one and all in his debut season and also scored a century in his debut test inning is going to open with Dhawan. The right-left combination will work well for the franchise giving them an explosive yet stable opening combination.

With Munro already there as a backup opener, it is highly unlikely that they would look for openers in the auction.

Middle Order - Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk) and Colin Munro

Pant will look to continue his incredible performances from IPL 2018

Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant and Colin Munro are all top order batsmen or at least they started their careers like that. But at present, all three of them are equally capable in the middle order as well. Each of them can bat anywhere between 3 and 5 depending on the situation. In an ideal case though, Iyer will be coming in at 3, followed by Pant and Munro.

Pant was the best performer for the Daredevils last season and is now a regular in the Indian team as well. Though Munro did not get many games last season and performed below par in the chances he got, he is the best option among the retained players to take up the number 5 slot.

DD will look for a few good middle order batsmen after having released Maxwell, Gurkeerat and trading away Vijay Shankar and Abhishek Sharma.

All-rounders - Chris Morris and Rahul Tewatia

Chris Morris

Chris Morris was one of the 3 retained players before the mega-auction in 2018 but was unfortunately ruled out of the tournament due to injury. But DD would need the services of their most valuable player this time around. Morris has been a brilliant finisher for DD and has been very good with the ball at the death as well.

Rahul Tewatia showed glimpses of brilliance with the ball in 2018 and also showed he can be good with the bat too. He will be the ideal number 7 among the current lot of players retained by DD.

Jayant Yadav might get a look in if DD decides to go in with Sandeep Lamichhane and hence look for variety in the spin department.

At the auction, DD will also be looking to get in someone who can bat at 6 and 7 and carry out the job of a finisher along with Morris. With the World Cup around the corner, Morris might not be available for the full season.

Bowlers - Kagiso Rabada, Amit Mishra, Trent Boult, Harshal Patel

Rabada will be crucial for the Daredevils

Rabada will be spearheading the bowling attack after having missed the previous edition. One of the best fast bowlers in the world right now, Rabada will have a huge rule to play in Daredevils' campaign. He will be partnered by Trent Boult. The pace trio of Morris, Rabada and Boult will be one of the most lethal in the IPL if all three of them remain available. Harshal Patel will be the only Indian pacer in the lineup, who can be replaced by Avesh Khan when needed.

The spin department will be headed by the experienced Amit Mishra, who has always been amongst wickets. The management might also be tempted to try young Lamichhane in place of Boult to add the X-factor in their bowling.

DD will be looking for some Indian pacers in the auction. Having released Mohammad Shami, and clouds over the availability of Rabada and Morris, it will be good if the management brings in a couple of good Indian pacers.