Delhi Daredevils have built a classy unit that can be considered as one of the most high-profile teams for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 season. The franchise went big by getting former Kolkata Knight Riders veteran skipper Gautam Gambhir, who led the unit to two IPL titles.
Gambhir is expected to lead the Delhi side and there is a big buzz amongst the fans seeing their local hero back in the Delhi dugout after years of consistency for KKR. If getting the southpaw was a giant move, they also bolstered the side by going for some explosive looking batsman backed by a decent bowling unit.
The franchise went smart by retaining three players in the form of South Africa’s Chris Morris and the terrific Indian young duo of Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant. Under the coaching of Ricky Ponting, the unit has given a clear signal of vouching to go for the future. At the Bengaluru auction they bought India’s ICC Under-19 World Cup skipper Prithvi Shaw, besides also getting teammate Manjot Kalra.
Daredevils have a serious looking batting unit of Colin Munro, Jason Roy and Glenn Maxwell. They also backed their bowling by getting Kagiso Rabada and Trent Boult. Besides Morris, they signed the experienced Daniel Christian as the side’s other all-rounder. The spin department looks good too. Now it is time for the most inconsistent side in the IPL to make use of the resources they have gathered.
Here is the squad analysis of Delhi Daredevils under the possible leadership of Gautam Gambhir.
Batsmen: With Gambhir back in the scheme of things, Delhi have a proven run-scorer in a consistent fashion. Gambhir has been monumental for KKR over the years and backed his captaincy with plenty of runs upfront. Alongside Gambhir, Jason Roy is likely to get the nod as the side’s opener. Roy has been in good touch for England and wreck any bowling unit on a given day.
Gambhir: Matches 148, Runs 4133, Best 93, Average 31.55, S/R 124.64
Colin Munro is the side’s another opening option and the Kiwi southpaw has been one of the most consistent stars in the T20 format. He has smashed three T20I centuries for New Zealand and has earlier played under Gambhir for KKR. With Pant and Iyer in the middle order, Delhi have serious talent in their side. The duo have the experience in the IPL and are vital contributors in the side.
Then is is further bolstered by Maxwell. The Australian is one of the feared batsmen of modern day cricket and if he gets going, very few can go and stop him. Consistency will be the key for Maxi. The bench strength looks promising too with Naman Ojha, Shaw and Kalra in the unit.
All-rounders: With their batting at a strong level, DD went for plenty of all-rounders. Morris is the leader in the pack and has been a vital cog for the franchise in the past. His ability as a finisher and brilliance with the ball makes him a chief contributor in the side. Australia’s Daniel Christian is another proven star and he is a suitable replacement for Morris, given the latter gets injured or is out of form.
Domestic recruits Gurkeerat Mann and Abhishek Sharma fill up the other all-round options. Mann could be a valuable player in the middle order and will add more option as a bowler.
Bowlers: Delhi’s bowling will be led by Mohammed Shami, who was bought via the Right To Match (RTM) card. Shami will need to step up in this format after not having been in the groove like Test matches. Alongside him is South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, who looks likely to fill up the fourth foreign slot in the playing XI.
Like Shami, Rabada will hope to get his form of Tests into the T20s and if the duo click, DD are set for a bright IPL 11. Boult is a valuable addition as well and can come in for Rabada in times of need. He adds more firepower and is a vital option. Besides the trio, the pace bowling unit bear the likes of Harshal Patel, Sayan Ghosh and Avesh Khan. These players are likely to be groomed for the future, therefore a lot will depend on Shami.
The spin bowling looks strong with Amit Mishra, Rahul Tewatia, Jayant Yadav and the regular Shahbaz Nadeem. Mishra and Nadeem are likely to be Gambhir’s go to options as twin spin. Jayant also gives a good touch with some batting skills as well. Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane is the lone foreign spin option.
Weaknesses: The bowling lacks the needed firepower in the pace department. Death bowling will also be an issue for the team. Moreover getting the batting order right to get the proper balance will a test for Gambhir.
Class of 2018!
Here is your well balanced 25-man squad for the upcoming Vivo @IPL season.
#DilDilli pic.twitter.com/Old2aatepd— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) January 29, 2018