The Daredevils from Delhi side in Indian Premier League has
always studded with some true Devils. Their initial squad read Sehwag, Gambhir,
Warner, Dilshan and De Villers. This is as best a batting line up as one can
get. Yet the results have not been so fascinating. They did make it to the Semi
finals under Sehwag in the first two seasons only to lose there. This was
despite the crackling second season where they topped the league charts.
Provided with the option of retention, they erred in not
retaining more than Sehwag. The second major auction in 2010 was a mess. They
chose with hitters like Finch, Brit etc without going for solid players. Their
lack of planning was obvious and with the transfer of their mentor T.A.Shekar,
Delhi chose a squad with so many pacers. But the lack of proper spinner bit the
side in last season. Infact the side lived and died with Sehwag. No wonder the
brittle side was the Wooden Spoon holders of IPL 4.
At this juncture, return of T.A.Shekar as the mentor/manager
changed the scenarios. While they still lack a proven spinner in their line up,
the batting has been strengthened immensely. They made two very smart transfers
during the window period. Pietersen was acquired from Deccan Chargers and Ross
Taylor from Rajasthan Royals. These two buys brought the side, two big match
winners.
The auction of IPL 5 was perfectly utilized by the side to
add depth to their batting and pace attack. Jayawardane was added to the middle
order and the value he brings to the table is beyond comprehension. They bought
the promising West Indies star Andre Russell who is yet to get a game this
season. Doug Bracewell was added to the pace attack which was already among the
best in the competition.
The weakness of the side has been the lack of genuine
spinner. Here the advent of Shabaz Nadeem stepping into the role of key spinner
is pivotal. He has been instrumental in minding the middle overs and has been
thus far very successful. If things go well, he may do a Rahul Sharma for Delhi
this season. By the fifth match he has 6 wickets but more importantly the
economy rate of 4.88 which is second only to the T20 specialist Malinga’s in
IPL 5. His ability to squeeze the scoring rate has been critical in Delhi’s campaign.
However he has always been given the cushion of bowling against circumspect
batting, thanks to the menacing pacers. Van der Merwe has been useful in the couple of matches he played.
Pace attack of Delhi is so far miles ahead of the other
sides. In five matches, they have managed to crumble two big sides for partly
scores. Irfan Pathan is getting back his mojo and that is good news not just
for Delhi but India too. Umesh Yadav, the revelation of the wretched tour Down
Under is continuing the good work giving little space for the opponents to get
away the pressure created by Morne Morkel. Morne is in the firing mode.
Currently holding the Purple Cap, he has been unplayable by any means. 12
wickets at an average of 9.33 and economy of 5.89 are just amazing. Skipper
cannot ask for more. The fifth bowler has been a problem with Agarkar going for
a plenty as usual. That is something that Sehwag needs to address.
Finally, coming to their strongest forte, Delhi’s batting line
up is the best in the competition. Bangalore may have a more terrorizing line
up and Chennai may have a more solid one, but Delhi’s is more menacing and
consistent one. Sehwag is yet to fire his usual self but then the side is not
in need of it too so far. Everyone knows what could happen if he fires.
Jayawardane is someone who can score runs without making the opposition aware
of it.
Pietersen has just scored a spectacular century and his
shots stamp its authority. Ross Taylor can be destructive when he gets his
groove and it has been seen earlier in IPL and Champion Leagues too. Naman Ojha
is a chirpy customer who can play some big shots as well. Pathan is a useful
all rounder. The class of top order has been such that Delhi can play five
regular bowlers in their team. This adds a big advantage to the side’s
strength.
In the first five matches, apart from one game against Royal
Challengers where they lost before the arrival of the big three in the middle
overs, Delhi’s game plan has been the same. They have chased in all matches,
mostly their bowling attack gives a lesser work to their batsmen. So far their
batting is yet to be tested except in the game against Chargers but given the
class of the batsmen, it is not going to be a big deal.
Smart selection and clear planning has taken the side to the
top of the table. They have just one loss and four wins in five. The bowling
has been menacing and batting classy. The run rate they have a notch above the
others. If they maintain the same form, Sehwag could very well lift this IPL.
Afterall, Dare Devilry is in their name itself.
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