Delhi Daredevils have already lost all the 5 matches, making it the weakest link of the current edition. Any team playing against them now feels confident of winning even before the match, while under Mahela, and even after Sehwag’s return they have failed to perform and play as a unit. They may learn how to play as a team from Chennai Super Kings, whose team bonding is one of the best. But besides team bonding CSK has nothing much to show this year, and after different permutations and combinations, appears DD has a better chance to win today, against CSK.
History
In all the five editions they have been winning at least a match against each other, except 2011 where being placed in different groups made them play only one game and CSK won that on their route to tournament win.
In the first three editions, both won a match each and never met in the semifinals although both reached the knockouts in 2007 and 2008. In 2012 despite a strong performance at league stage by DD, CSK managed to win 2 wins, one at the league stage and other was the killer blow during knockouts.
Head-to-Head: CSK 6, DD 4
2008
- DD def CSK by 8 Wickets
CSK def DD by 4 Wickets
2009
- v DD def CSK by 9 Runs
CSK def DD by 18 Runs
2010
- CSK def DD by 5 Wickets
DD def CSK by 6 Wickets
2011
- CSK def DD by 18 runs
2012
- DD won by 8 wickets, MOM: Morne Morkel
CSK won by 9 wkts, MOM: Hilfenhaus
2013 Performances
CSK is just two place ahead of DD, which is lying at the bottom.
CSKs Results in 2013
DDs Results in 2013
Overall Performance in IPL
CSK has been a regular at the knockouts in IPL and has reached 4 of the five finals, winning twice and losing twice, once each to Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Delhi Daredevils has never reached the final, but has reached the knockout thrice, including the last edition where at league stage they were the strongest contender of the title, until CSK that has reached knockout ahead of RCB and Kings XI only on better NRR, handed a killer blow to them in the Eliminator.
- 2008: CSK won 9, lost 7. DD won 7, lost 7, 1 NR.
2009: CSK won 8, lost 6, 1 NR. DD won 10, lost 5.
2010: CSK won 9, lost 7. DD had 7 wins and 7 losses.
2011: CSK won 11, lost 5. DD won 4, lost 9.
2012: CSK won 10, lost 8, 1 NR. DD won 11, lost 6
Strength of Both Teams
On paper both teams looks strong, but just going through the squad even Pune Warriors looks among the top four strongest team of the tournament and is lying on the bottom with DD at the Points Table.
Based on their performances in 2013 edition, CSK as usual gives the feel of a strong team with deep batting line up full of specialist batsmen in the form of Hussey, Vijay, Badrinath and Dhoni supported by exceptional allrounders in the form of Jadeja, Bravo, Morkel and even Morris. The talent is overflowing and even their regular player of last 5 editions, Morkel got his first game only in their last match that too when they took Pune Warriors as an easy opponent at home.
Overall their two wins against RCB and Kings XI were contrasting. While against RCB their batting collapsed in the big chase and they were lucky to be on the winning side. Against Kings XI Hussey and Vijay took them to victory with no other batsmen required to be tested. Openers are certainly their strength along with Dhoni in the middle and then Jadeja for a cameo.
In Morris, they have found a good bowling option, although he has the tendency to get expensive, but he does get wickets too. Ashwin and others have also been moderately successful. They are still taking time to come to their peak form.
DD has very little to claim as strength this season. Probably the inspirational factor could be their players who have shown good promises even in small performances that went for losing cause. Kedhar Jadhav and Nadeem are in good form but they are still not contributing as big that they can be considered as big strength to take their team to victory single-handedly. Still, their contribution if matched by others can become the stepping stone for DDs first win.
Weaknesses of Both Teams
Batting is the biggest weakness of CSK. Quality bowling like what DD has can see CSK collapse for the 4th match (out of 5) in 2013. If it was not for Dhoni against Mumbai, the batting did collapse and his tremendous solo effort brought them so close. Against Warriors they had no clue about the proceedings, as they failed collectively. They do have exceptional batting line up.
Bowling has again not been so effective unless one counts the match against Kings XI as major motivational factor, considering Kings XI are getting bowled out by any team now.
Delhi Daredevils appear to be well determined not to win. Mahela is struggling. Sehwag makes good start and then ends up giving dollies. As a result all responsibility has shifted to Warner, who is crumbling under pressure as he is leaving his natural attacking game. The selection of trio for Super Over against RCB, left no doubt in viewer’s mind that Sehwag and Mahela are no more confident of their abilities. Nobody would send someone playing his first match of season. But they did send Rohrer with Warner.
They have some bowling concerns also to sort fast. Morne Morkel is yet to get in his deadly rhythm. Nehra looks good and calm when he puts his hand on cheek in a thinking mode whenever he gets hit for a boundary, but he should realize T20 does not give much thinking opportunity. He should get into wicket-taking mode before DD throws him out.
Expected Star Players
DD: Sehwag, Kedar Jadhav, Nadeem and Umesh Yadav in bowling, Irfan as allrounder.
CSK: Hussey, Dhoni, Jadeja.
DD may get to taste victory, finally
The last few matches have seen that players in Delhi batting and bowling are getting starts but are unable to convert into bigger performances. Last match saw Irfan Pathan getting back into the groove of dangerous batsman. Probably he realized at last that next time nobody would give him even 20000 USD if he does not improve his performance. He is expected to continue the good hitting and his inswingers can be deadly for the opening and middle order of CSK, who are already struggling.
Sehwag’s initial good start show he is ready for a big knock. Just needs to get back his confidence, and he may be back in form in this match for DD, and as a result with lesser pressure Warner can do more damage too.
Scoring around 170 runs would be a good total with the kind of good bowling line up DD has. Even if CSK bats first they would find it difficult to cross 165 runs, against disciplined bowling attack of DD, specially Nadeem and Umesh Yadav.
Overall DD is all set to open its account with a bang.
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