We play our ninth match of the VIVO IPL 2018 against the Rajasthan Royals at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi. Our campaign in this season has been a disappointing one so far, but the boys have shown a lot of character and intent. In the previous game against the Chennai Super Kings, our batsmen put up a spirited show towards the end but just couldn’t get over the line and took a 13-run loss. It was a high-voltage game where more than 400 runs were scored. The likes of Vijay Shankar getting among the runs is a good sign for the DD dugout. Personally, Rishabh Pant is having a great season and that continued against the Super Kings. He’ll be hoping to keep that going further.
Rain had played spoilsport in our first game against the Rajasthan Royals this season, and we eventually lost the game by 10 runs (D/L method). DD will be eager to make things right as the return leg takes place at our home ground. RR too are coming off a loss against the Sunrisers Hyderabad by 11 runs. Both teams have quality players in their ranks and here’s a look at some important battles that could decide which way the game swings.
Key Player Battles
Trent Boult vs Ajinkya Rahane
Trent Boult has the ability to trouble right-handers with his in-swing. He has been good with the ball for DD right at the start and his always been aggressive, looking for wickets. He has 11 wickets in the tournament, the joint highest tally so far. Ajinkya Rahane, the RR skipper is a proven stalwart opening the innings and it will be interesting to see how Boult tries to get the better of Rahane at the top.
Amit Mishra vs Sanju Samson
Veteran leg spinner, Amit Mishra has been mixing it up and has been particularly impressive in the last couple of games. He bowled an important spell in the last game and returned with figures of 1/30, taking the vital wicket of Shane Watson who was looking dangerous. Furthermore, he finished his spell with an economy of 7.50 when most other frontline bowlers went for over 11. Sanju Samson was the Man of the Match awardee the last time RR and DD played and has been in prime form this season. Mishra will be looking to dry up Samson’s runs through the middle overs.
Colin Munro vs Jofra Archer
Colin Munro might not have scored big for DD this season, but he has looked good in the last couple games with quickfire cameos. It feels like it’s only a matter of time till he puts a massive total on the board. Jofra Archer has been good for RR and has been hitting the deck hard. Munro does like pace on the ball, and he’d love to go big against Jofra Archer and RR.
All six of DD’s games remaining are virtually must-wins. It’s a trying task, but nothing is impossible considering the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. It is imperative that the team regroup, analyse their performances and rise up to the occasion. It’s a tough road ahead where the squad just cannot afford any slip-ups. But, the team will dare to dream
VIVO IPL Match 32: DD vs RR, 8 pm IST
VENUE: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi.
BROADCAST: Star Sports Network
We play our ninth match of the VIVO IPL 2018 against the Rajasthan Royals at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi. Our campaign in this season has been a disappointing one so far, but the boys have shown a lot of character and intent. In the previous game against the Chennai Super Kings, our batsmen put up a spirited show towards the end but just couldn’t get over the line and took a 13-run loss. It was a high-voltage game where more than 400 runs were scored. The likes of Vijay Shankar getting among the runs is a good sign for the DD dugout. Personally, Rishabh Pant is having a great season and that continued against the Super Kings. He’ll be hoping to keep that going further.
Rain had played spoilsport in our first game against the Rajasthan Royals this season, and we eventually lost the game by 10 runs (D/L method). DD will be eager to make things right as the return leg takes place at our home ground. RR too are coming off a loss against the Sunrisers Hyderabad by 11 runs. Both teams have quality players in their ranks and here’s a look at some important battles that could decide which way the game swings.
Key Player Battles
Trent Boult vs Ajinkya Rahane
Trent Boult has the ability to trouble right-handers with his in-swing. He has been good with the ball for DD right at the start and his always been aggressive, looking for wickets. He has 11 wickets in the tournament, the joint highest tally so far. Ajinkya Rahane, the RR skipper is a proven stalwart opening the innings and it will be interesting to see how Boult tries to get the better of Rahane at the top.
Amit Mishra vs Sanju Samson
Veteran leg spinner, Amit Mishra has been mixing it up and has been particularly impressive in the last couple of games. He bowled an important spell in the last game and returned with figures of 1/30, taking the vital wicket of Shane Watson who was looking dangerous. Furthermore, he finished his spell with an economy of 7.50 when most other frontline bowlers went for over 11. Sanju Samson was the Man of the Match awardee the last time RR and DD played and has been in prime form this season. Mishra will be looking to dry up Samson’s runs through the middle overs.
Colin Munro vs Jofra Archer
Colin Munro might not have scored big for DD this season, but he has looked good in the last couple games with quickfire cameos. It feels like it’s only a matter of time till he puts a massive total on the board. Jofra Archer has been good for RR and has been hitting the deck hard. Munro does like pace on the ball, and he’d love to go big against Jofra Archer and RR.
All six of DD’s games remaining are virtually must-wins. It’s a trying task, but nothing is impossible considering the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. It is imperative that the team regroup, analyse their performances and rise up to the occasion. It’s a tough road ahead where the squad just cannot afford any slip-ups. But, the team will dare to dream
VIVO IPL Match 32: DD vs RR, 8 pm IST
VENUE: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi.
BROADCAST: Star Sports Network
