Summary
Delhi have failed to find a winning combination in recent years, with a seventh place finish last time out proving to be an improvement on the two previous seasons. Once again, this season has seen a major overhaul of players with the Daredevils hierarchy seeking the formula that will see them compete at the right end of the table.
Indeed, the Daredevils' recent record in the IPL is, to say the least, poor. In the last three seasons, Delhi have finished bottom twice (2013, 2014) and second bottom (2015). That is in contrast to the 2012 season where they finished top of the league stage and third overall. The glory days of Virender Sehwag, David Warner, Kevin Pietersen and Mahela Jayawardene are seemingly long gone.
 |
| The success that players such as David Warner brought to the Daredevils are seemingly in the past (PHOTO: Raveendran) |
Warner was the only batsman who really showed any consistency in 2013, scoring 410 runs at 31.53 and passing fifty on four occasions. There was also a lack of consistency in team selection, with only Warner and Umesh Yadav playing all 16 games, with Jayawardene and Irfan Pathan playing 15. Shahbaz Nadeem was a revelation for Delhi in 2013, taking nine wickets in his 12 games with a fantastic economy of just 5.88. He was unable to quite repeat his heroics in 2014, but nevertheless still bowled well.
It was the same old story for Delhi in 2014, with inconsistent team selection again seeing just two players play every game - JP Duminy and Dinesh Karthik. Duminy was the leading light in 2014 and was again in 2015, scoring 410 and 414 runs respectively over a total of 27 innings.
Duminy's IPL form is one of a couple of positives for the Daredevils on the batting front, with a youthful top order likely to be in place once again this year. Shreyas Iyer burst onto the IPL scene last year, scoring 439 runs in his debut season. His opening partner Mayank Agarwal also did well, giving Delhi a number of starts on his way to 213 runs. Finally, South African 'keeper-batsman Quinton de Kock is in brilliant form currently after starring internationally for South Africa in recent months.
Key players
JP Duminy
Duminy has been the one main positive in the last two wretched seasons for the Daredevils. 824 runs in 27 innings has seen him become a key player for the Delhi-based side and he will certainly look to improve his already-impressive IPL record this year.
In 67 total IPL matches, Duminy averages a staggering 40.04, having made 14 fifties and cleared the ropes 75 times. He was the standout batsman for Delhi in 2014 and was only second to Shreyas Iyer in 2015.
In 67 total IPL matches, Duminy averages a staggering 40.04, having made 14 fifties and cleared the ropes 75 times. He was the standout batsman for Delhi in 2014 and was only second to Shreyas Iyer in 2015.
 |
| Duminy is an important player for Delhi and has been consistent in the past two seasons (PHOTO: Gareth Copley) |
Duminy's World t20 was cut short by a hamstring injury in South Africa's second game against Afghanistan and former South Africa coach Mickey Arthur said his injury played a part in the Proteas' eventual downfall.
In the two innings Duminy played in India, he made 83 unbeaten runs including 54* against England and 29* against Afghanistan. Delhi will certainly be hoping Duminy will be fit to play an integral part of this coming season.
In the two innings Duminy played in India, he made 83 unbeaten runs including 54* against England and 29* against Afghanistan. Delhi will certainly be hoping Duminy will be fit to play an integral part of this coming season.
Quinton de Kock
The 23-year-old did not get off to the best start in his IPL career, scoring just 159 runs in his first ten innings in 2013 and 2014. Although he only played three times for Delhi last season, de Kock showed his quality as he struck 122 runs, scoring two fifties in the process. He averaged 40.66 in those three innings as well as striking at a healthy 158.44.
 |
| De Kock is an exciting, in-form young talent (PHOTO: Gareth Copley) |
De Kock, like Duminy, showcased his talent and form at the World t20, top scoring for South Africa with 153 runs in four innings. De Kock made his mark in the opener against England, striking 52 off just 24 balls before going on to score 45 off 31 against Afghanistan and 47 off 46 against the West Indies.
Somewhat strangely, that 52 scored against England is de Kock's highest t20I score and his only half century in 29 innings - yet he still boasts an impressive average of just under 30. A man in form, de Kock will be key at the top of the order for Delhi.
Somewhat strangely, that 52 scored against England is de Kock's highest t20I score and his only half century in 29 innings - yet he still boasts an impressive average of just under 30. A man in form, de Kock will be key at the top of the order for Delhi.
Imran Tahir
 |
| Tahir is a wicket taker and has a good IPL record (PHOTO: Gareth Copley) |
That is not quite the case in the IPL, however, as Tahir's economy rate is rather high at 8.6 over the course of his 16 games. Nevertheless, the leg-spinner has taken 24 wickets at a remarkable 20.2.
Tahir was once again a thorn for almost every side he came up against in the World t20 for South Africa. The economy rate from the Pakistan-born bowler was once again sublime, going at just 5.18 over the course of his 16 overs. His average was typically brilliant, taking his six wickets at 13.83.
Key auction buys
Pawan Negi
Negi broke through last year into the Chennai Super Kings with a string of impressive performances with both bat and ball. The 23-year-old was also named in the Indian squad for the recent World t20, a factor that saw a clamour for his services at the auction.
Negi is somewhat of a pinch-hitter down the order, exemplified by his 2015 average of just 14.5 alongside an impressive strike rate of 158.9. His old team Delhi Daredevils won the race for the exciting youngster and he is set to be an important part of their setup this year.
 |
| Negi will return to the Delhi Daredevils after a big bid at the auction (PHOTO: Indranil Mukherjee) |
Despite enjoying his genuine breakthrough year last time out for the Super Kings, his performances for the Delhi Daredevils back in 2012 were among his best in terms of bowling, taking seven wickets at an average of 21.71. Now with an improved quality with the bat, Negi will be looking to play a crucial part for Delhi in IPL 9.
Sanju Samson
Samson is a huge young talent and has scored 12 fifties in 72 t20 innings - a conversion rate of 1 half century in every six innings. His form for Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy so far this year somewhat sums up Samson as a player - inconsistent. In nine innings this year, Samson has scored three fifties along with four scores of four or less.
 |
| Samson was another young player who was well sought a after in the auction (PHOTO: Francois Nel-IDI) |
It has been a similar case for Samson in his three seasons as an IPL player, although he has scored relatively well. He has scored over 200 runs in each of the three years he has played at an overall average of 24.16.
Nevertheless, Samson is held in high regard and he will look to kick on in this year's tournament with his new franchise. He will have to work hard to challenge de Kock for a place behind the stumps as well as warding off the challenge of u19 'keeper batsman Rishabh Pant.
Chris Morris
Morris is a fine all-rounder who has added consistency to his batting in recent months. Indeed, the 28-year-old boasts an impressive IPL record with the ball, having taken 28 wickets in 27 games.
Able to generate considerable pace and bounce from his tall frame, Morris has the ability to bowl yorkers and quick bouncers and typically has a good variety of deliveries. He can also strike the ball a long way when he is at the crease, having hit 32 sixes in the 57 innings he has played.
Able to generate considerable pace and bounce from his tall frame, Morris has the ability to bowl yorkers and quick bouncers and typically has a good variety of deliveries. He can also strike the ball a long way when he is at the crease, having hit 32 sixes in the 57 innings he has played.
 |
| Morris has built himself a recent reputation for being a dangerous lower order hitter (PHOTO: Gallo Images) |
Morris also enjoyed a decent World t20 with the ball, taking five wickets in the three games he played. Those five wickets included a brilliant 4-27 against Afghanistan which effectively ended the minnows' hopes of chasing South Africa's first innings score.
Delhi will be the third franchise Morris has played for, having previously turned out for the currently-suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
Delhi will be the third franchise Morris has played for, having previously turned out for the currently-suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
Potential starting XI
De Kock, Iyer, Agarwal, Duminy, Samson, Nair, Negi, Morris, Mishra, Zaheer, Tahir
Squad analysis
The squad, like many before it, looks strong throughout, although it arguably lacks a genuine world class option - save for perhaps de Kock or Duminy.
It will be a case of consistency this year for Delhi and finding the right combinations to winning games - something they have not been able to do in recent years.
 |
| Plenty more where that came from? Brathwaite after his World t20 Final heroics against England (PHOTO: Ryan Pierse) |
The squad certainly has depth, with exciting England 'keeper-batsman Sam Billings and West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite able to provide match-changing moments. The Daredevils also have good local depth, with talented Karun Nair likely to challenge Agarwal and Samson for a place at the top of the order.
Mohammad Shami is still an injury doubt but he will provide significant strength to the bowling setup if he is able to play. Nathan Coulter-Nile has performed admirably for the Daredevils in past seasons and he will likely challenge Tahir for a place, dependent on the conditions.
Overall, the squad looks a little light on genuine world class talent but there is a host of exciting young players to go with a couple of experienced heads. The combination between youthful exuberance and the experience with the likes of captain Zaheer Khan, Duminy, Tahir and Mishra could be crucial to their chances.
Prediction
A potentially electrifying, young top order will be interesting to watch, with de Kock and Iyer in good form. The fitness of JP Duminy could be vital along with that of Shami. Zaheer is not getting any younger and it will be intriguing to see how he balances his bowling output with the captaincy.
There is no doubting that the Daredevils have some burgeoning talents within their squad and talents that can win games, it will just be a question of whether they can put the past two years behind them and start almost afresh.
Verdict: could struggle again
Comments
Post a Comment