Struggling DD take on SRH

After the initial flutter, Delhi Daredevils are back to the familiar territory -- the bottom of the points table.

Despite possessing one of the best bowling attacks in the tournament, they have endured collapses customary to its runs in the past years. Now with three back to back matches, beginning with Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday, awaiting them on home stretch, the Daredevils will be expected to add some spine to their performances.

The Daredevils are returning from an embarrassing 10-wicket defeat to Kings XI Punjab in Mohali, where they folded in for mere 67 runs batting first. In the wake of just two wins from eight matches, their task grows manifold against Sunrisers, who are brimming with confidence with 13 points from 10 matches.

Under the able leadership of David Warner, who hit a blazing century against the formidable Kolkata Knight Riders at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday, Sunrisers are considered among title favourites.

However, for Daredevils, one of the most underperforming unit in the IPL’s history, the season once again is hurtling towards a forgettable finish. Their worries have been compounded with the hamstring injury to Zaheer Khan, who was forced to miss the match against Kings. In his absence, an out of form Karun Nair was given the reins of the side to baffle all and sundry. To make matters worse, Zaheer has failed to recover from injury and Nair will continue to lead the side on Tuesday.

DD’s batting order too is far from settled despite the tournament fast reaching its business end. With England and South African players likely to leave IPL midway for national duties in the coming weeks in May, it would only add to the Daredevils’ woes. This means they will lose Englishman Sam Billings, their inform all-rounder Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada.

Ironically, the day Daredevils posted a lowly 67, Sunrisers heaped 209 runs against Knight Riders, the table toppers. Warner was in his famous form, hitting 126 off 59 balls, with New Zealand captain Kane Williamson batting with gumption too for a suitable finish. The side also has Yuvraj Singh, who can never be counted out from scoring big.

Sunrisers have a reliable pace-attack led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who with his teasing variations and accuracy, has picked 20 wickets and the Purple Cap. The guile of Ashish Nehra has remained intact in all these years and he is among the rare breed who can make both the old and new ball talk. Not to forget the Afghanistan import Rashid Khan, who with his leg-spin has created a special name for himself.

The one positive Daredevils has is that five out of its six remaining matches will be at home. It is quite an advantage for a side and Daredevils should be looking to make the most of it.