Daredevils are lying at the bottom of the 10-team league while Kings XI are third after their third consecutive win on Thursday against Rajasthan Royals.

Daredevils have managed just one win from four matches and Shipperd said his team has to win at least seven of the remaining 10 matches to make the knock-out stage.

“We need to hold firm in our direction. The team needs to win seven out of the remaining 10 games to qualify for the knock-out stage, we’ll be looking to give a very clinical performance tomorrow,” said Shipperd.

The Australian had a look at the Ferozeshah Kotla track, on which his team struggled in their defeat to Deccan Chargers.

“We have had a look at the wicket and it has got some dead grass. I hope they will roll it sufficiently so that there is good bounce and carry. Then it will help both batsmen and the bowlers,” he said.

Asked why captain Virender Sehwag didn’t turn up for the practice, Shipperd said: “ He has some injury niggles but went through a long training session Thursday. It is important for him to be fresh for the matches. That’s why we excused him from attending the training session today.”

He also wants all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who was bought by a whopping $1.9 million, to come good against Kings XI. “Irfan may not have got a 70 or 80 but he is slowly improving and we expect him to do a good finishing job. We would like him to score 20 off 20 or take a crucial wicket,” he said.