Rajasthan Roayals will be hoping for a win against struggling Delhi Daredevils.
Delhi Daredevils have had a tough time in this year’s Indian Premier League this season. It is the only franchise this season whose captain, Gautam Gambhir, decided to relieve himself from the leadership duties due to consistent poor performance.
Two teams desperately looking for a win will take on each other at the Ferozshah Kotla on Wednesday. Delhi Daredevils host Rajasthan Royals and Shreyas Iyer’s side will be keen to put the loss against CSK at the back of their minds to get a win that will get them off the bottom of the table.
Rajasthan Royals have been really inconsistent so far and while Jofra Archer has added some stability with the ball, they are still yet to find the right combination with the bat and fire. That is something they have to do quickly as they are running out of time.
If Delhi Daredevils bat first
Predicted Score – 180+
Since Gautam Gambhir stepped down, Delhi Daredevils look to have finally settled on a XI that ticks all the boxes. With an explosive opening combination of Prithvi Shaw and Colin Munro before a power-packed middle-order that has an in-form Indian duo of Shreyas Iyer and Rishab Pant, they certainly have all their bases covered.
While Shaw has given them an explosive start, Munro is slowly showing just why he holds the world record for most T20I centuries. They have not let the opposing bowlers settle and given them a great start since they have got together.
Both Shreyas Iyer and Rishab Pant are in great form. The only real concern is the form of Glenn Maxwell, who has struggled to get going so far. But even he is contributing with the ball and Vijay Shankar’s fifty in the previous game has meant that every batsman has done their bit so far this season.
Against an RR bowling line-up that doesn’t have the explosive pace to stop them, they should have enough to pack a punch. Especially on a pitch that is conducive to batting and with the likes of Rahul Tewatia and Liam Plunkett as well, a total in excess of 180 shouldn’t be out of the question.
If Rajasthan Royals bat first
Predicted Score – 170+
The problem for Rajasthan Royals has been the form of their overseas batsmen. While Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson have been amongst the runs, the foreign duo of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler haven’t been firing so far.
While the addition of Jofra Archer has been a huge boost to their bowling department, it is their batting that is a worry. They will need both Stokes and Buttler to get going, especially against a Delhi attack that has all the variety you need to succeed in T20s.
Ben Stokes has looked good but has thrown his wicket away far too often and Buttler just hasn’t got going yet. They also need their openers to contribute more often and need Rahul Tripathi to rediscover the form he showed in IPL 2017.
Team Head to Head
Overall: Matches – 17, Delhi Daredevils won – 6, Rajasthan Royals won – 11
At the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground: Matches – 6, Delhi Daredevils won – 3, Rajasthan Royals won – 3
The Rajasthan Royals have prevailed in their last 7 matches against the Daredevils. The last time DD got the better of the RR was in 2012.
Predicted Winner: Rajasthan Roayals
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