When Delhi Daredevils take on Deccan Chargers, win is must for both, but for Daredevils they need win for momentum, while Chargers need end of losses. Both have won just one match and are placed at the lower bottom of the table. Who will take a jump 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 7 times and Delhi holds slight edge with one more victory than DC.
2011 Performances
Chargers were thrashed by their erstwhile opponent Rajasthan Royals in the first match. Kolkata Knight Riders also defeated them in a close contest. But, playing at home they registered first ever victory trouncing Royal Challengers Bangalore. But, Kings XI Punjab shattered the dream of getting away with home jinx for Chargers when ex-DC captain and biggest assaulter of the tournament Valthaty marooned DC with runs.
Delhi Daredevils had their own problem. First Mumbai Indians sent them to school by blowing them away with Malinga Special that led DD score their second below 100 score in IPL. When it appeared against Royals they will have some clue, Warne’s boys also scored clinical thumping victory. Being at bottom, when hopes were about to shatter completely, Daredevils registered emphatic victory over tournament topper Pune Warriors India.
Player’s Performance in 2011
For Delhi, player’s performance index is showing improvement. Venugopal has got Warner as company in the 100-run scoring club now. Although other batsmen, including Sehwag are still to give good scores. Their bowlers have been disappointing so far, with just 11 wickets taken in 3 matches.
For Deccan, player’s performance index is better. But, they have also played one more match than DD. Althugh only Chipli has reached 100-run mark, Sangakkara, Dhawan and Chrisitan are just within 20-runs distance to get there. Bowlers have performed better taking 17 wickets in 4 matches.
Head-to-Head: DD 4, DC 3
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
IPL Performances
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.
OVerall IPL Performances
Daredevils has won 23, lost 21 matches and 1 match was abandoned. They are the fourth best team of IPL.
Chargers are the second best team of IPL in terms of result, but have won only 19 matches as compared to 27 losses.
Who Will Win Today!!
Delhi Daredevils won the first four matches of their clashes. After the semifinal loss of 2009, DD has won remaining 2 matches in 2010 too. On a three consecutive win against DD, after 4 consecutive losses DC will expect to equal the record now with 4th win.
But, considering the teams current player’s performances, Delhi has an edge over Deccan. While Delhi batsmen are contributing, small or big, Chargers are unable to produce good innings as batsmen. Even Sangakkara is disappointing.
In Bowling Steyn holds the key to the fate of match, as Delhi has already collapsed twice in first two matches against quality pace. Still alone Steyn may not be able to stop DC’s another loss.
Key Battles
Sehwag/Warner vs Steyn
The battle between Steyn and DD openers will be the defining moment of the game. Steyn and both DD openers have grown in confidence with every match in the tournament. Steyn can take at least one of them. But taking both will move the momentum towards DC. On the other hand if both openers are able to attack Steyn, DC will lose the match in the first four overs only, psychologically.
Venugopal vs Chipli
Both have been the highest scorers of their team, specially when international players are not performing. The best performer of the day, between these two, will take the team closer to victory. Venugopal has advantage though, as he knows Deccan Chargers very well, having played the first three IPL awith them.
James Hopes vs DC batsmen
Hopes is the key in bowling for DD, as Pathan is not firing with ball, or even bat too. With Hopes in team, DD’s confidence has grown and they managed first victory. No surprises if he is the key to their second win tomorrow, as DC batsmen are struggling still in the tournament.
DC Squad
Batsman: Kumar Sangakkara (Captain/Keeper), Jean-Paul Duminy, Michael Lumb, Kevin Pietersen, Anand Rajan, Kedar Devdhar, Shikhar Dhawan, Dwaraka Ravi Teja, Jaydev Shah, Arjun Yadav
Allrounder: Chris Lynn, Rusty Theron, Cameron White, Ashish Reddy
Bowlers: Dale Steyn, Daniel Christian, Ankit Sharma, Akash Bhandari, Bharat Chipli, Manpreet Gony, Harmeet Singh, Ishank Jaggi, Ishan Malhotra, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Sunny Sohal
DD Squad
Batsman: Sehwag (Captain), Aaron Finch, Colin Ingram, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Naman Ojha (WK),
Allrounder: Travis Birt, Robert Frylinck, James Hopes, Irfan Pathan, Venugopal Rao,
Bowlers: Morne Morkel, Andrew McDonald, Roelof van der Merwe, Ajit Agarkar, Varun Aaron, Robin Bist, Unmukt Chand, Ajit Chandila, Ashok Dinda, Shahbaz Nadeem, Yogesh Nagar, Prashant Naik, Rajesh Pawar, Aavishkar Salvi, Sridharan Sriram, Vikas Mishra, Tejashwi Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Vivek Yadav
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