Delhi Daredevils start off their campaign for the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) against Kings XI Punjab at Mohali.
Captain Gautam Gambhir is back to where he started off his career in the IPL. Therefore, there is a new wave of expectations riding on the shoulders of GG, to help DD clinch their maiden title.
Maxwell and Kagiso Rabada would be unavailable for the match. Let us look at the Predicted XI of Delhi Daredevils.
Gautam Gambhir
One of the most successful captains in the IPL, Gautam Gambhir should be leading from the front with the bat on his homecoming. The Delhite will look for yet another successful tournament for the team he first played with.
Colin Munro
Colin Munro, with the three T20I ton in a single season, walks into the playing XI at the opening slot. Munro also had an explosive Trans Tasman T20I series. The Kiwi would look to make a statement to say that the 1.9 crores price tag doesn’t quite suit his value.
Jason Roy
With the absence of Glenn Maxwell for the opening match of the Daredevils’, Jason Roy should get the nod ahead. Roy should be batting at the number 3 position. Roy was going all out at the nets, which makes him bat at number 3.
Rishabh Pant
The retained player of DD, Rishab Pant is an impact player in the team and would feel the pressure to perform especially after a disappointing Nidahas Trophy.
Shreyas Iyer
The other retained player from the Daredevils’ squad from last year is Indian international Shreyas Iyer. Both Pant and Iyer form the spine in the middle.
Chris Morris
After the two young Indian stars, South African all-rounder Chris Morris, who has the role of providing the hits down the order at a rapid strike as well as bowl the death overs. Morris brings in massive balance in the side as he is a 3-dimensional player.
Vijay Shankar
The other all-rounder in the Delhi side would be Vijay Shankar who would look to add balance in the side with both bat and ball.
Mohammed Shami
Shami was the bowler retained by Daredevils apart from Kagiso Rabada. Shami would want to make a statement by excelling even in the shortest format of the game.
Amit Mishra
Mishra has been one of the legends of the IPL with over 134 wickets in his career. The second highest wicket-taker in IPL is highly underrated but is a guarantee in the XI.
Trent Boult
One man’s loss is another man’s game. From SRH to KKR and now Delhi Daredevils, Trent Boult will feature in the XI in place of Kagiso Rabada who misses out this season due to injury.
Shahbaz Nadeem
Shahbaz Nadeem proved to be a veteran for Delhi since their initial days. His position in the side will be depending on the conditions at Mohali. Abhishek Sharma might get the nod ahead if the surface offers bounce.
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