When Deccan Chargers play Delhi Daredevils at Delhi, they will pray for a repeat of 2011 when they defeated DD at home. But a lot of water has flown down the Yamuna in 2012. Last year’s bottom-placed DD is looking the best side with 3 wins while 2009 champion Chargers have lost all their 3 matches. While their last defeat gives them some ray of hope, DD looks unbeatable for now.
History
DC has a glorious past behind with one championship victory and another 4th place finish. But, in between lies a last place finish of 2008 too. Daredevils also have two semifinals against their name, but no winner. They have met 9 times and Delhi holds slight edge with one more victory than DC.
Head-to-Head DD 5-4 DC
2008
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DD def DC by 9 Wickets
DD def DC by 12 Runs
2009
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DD def DC by 6 Wickets
DD def DC by 12 Runs
DC def DD by 6 Wickets
2010
- DC def DD by 10 Runs
DC def DD by 11 Runs
2011
Performance in 4 Editions
Both have reached the knockout twice. Delhi Daredevils could not ever cross the semifinal barrier. Deccan Chargers won it in 2009 and failed in 2010.
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In 2008, DD won 7, lost 7 and had 1 match abandoned reaching the semifinal, whereas DC finished at bottom, winning just 2 and losing record 10 matches.
In 2009, DC finished as winner, defeating DD in the semifinal. DC won 9 matches and lost 7 in the campaign. DD also had same win-loss result but failed in semifinal.
In 2010, Deccan again reached the semifinal winning 8 andd losing 8. DD failed to qualify for third straight final winning 7 matches and losing 7.
In 2011, DC finished 7th with 6 wins and 8 losses. DD sunk at bottom with 4 wins and 9 losses.
Overall IPL Performances
Daredevils has won 31, lost 31 matches and 2 matches were abandoned.
Chargers have won only 25 matches as compared to 38 losses.
Who Will Win Today
Addition of Duminy added spark to their performance. The batsmen scored 196 runs, although in vain. Yet, the performance must be a good boost for DCs sinking ship based on their dismal performance with bat and ball in first two defeats.
DD on the other hand looks one of the best bowling side with Umesh Yadav and Morne Morkel firing the batsmen. Despite good performances, Merwe has to sit out in last match. Such is the competition in their ranks. The top two most economic performance in 21 matches of IPL belong to DD bowlers – 2/11 by Umesh Yadav and 1/12 by Irfan Pathan. DC can get a boost from the fact that Steyn’s 3/12 is the second best economic performance of current season so far.
Their batting unit comprising of three threatening international players, besides Sehwag and Irfan Pathan looks intimidating against any side. DC has only Steyn to fight against the top-class batting unit. Allrounders of the class of Andre Russell are yet to get a match, as there is no bad performer so far.
DC on the other hand has Shikhar Dhawan and Duminy to rely while batting with some help from Christian and captain Sangakkara. In bowling Steyn and Amit Mishra are effective. But there are many dark spots in bowling and batting both as there is no good performance from local players. Even the team selection has been questionable.
Sangakkara needs to think at his best to get the right composition if they have to create a chance to win, specially against DD.
For now, DD is set to ground them to dust.
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