Delhi eye happy ending at home
It is difficult to pick who between Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab have had more issues to resolve during the Indian Premier League’s Season 8.
The two units, seemingly strong on paper, have struggled so far and inconsistency has been the common link for the north India teams, who come face-toface on Friday afternoon. Punjab began the season strongly — including a thrilling Super Over win over Rajasthan Royals - but are now placed at the bottom of the table with just four points from seven matches.
Be it batting, bowling or fielding. the George Baileyled side have been found wanting and former India skipper Ravi Shastri’s comment that only a ‘havan’ can save this squad is an apt description of their campaign.
It is not that the Kings are a weak unit. They are led by Australia’s World Cup-winning member, Glenn Maxwell is among the hardest hitters of the ball in world cricket, while Mitchell Johnson is capable of demolishing the strongest of batting units.
Home stars Virender Sehwag, Murali Vijay, Wriddhiman Saha and Axar Patel, combined with domestic talent are well versed with the conditions and performing under pressure situations, but all this hasn’t reflected in their performances.
The misfiring top order plus less than impressive displays from the bowlers has let them down. And if one counts the fielding blunders this year, it is not hard to fathom why the bubbly Preity Zinta’s squad are lacking the fizz. On the day, the team fretted over the fitness of Bailey (toe) and Shaun Marsh (shoulder), with the duo likely to sit out on Friday. Delhi, for their part, have oscillated between the sublime and the ridiculous. Two losses were followed by some heartening displays, but
it did not take Duminy & Co. to get into that losing mode again. That they have posted three victories in this edition is heartening, given that the squad were winless in the entire 2014.
With the tournament reaching a stage where it is important to seal wins with an eye on the semi-finals, Delhi will need the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Duminy and Angelo Mathews to take up more responsibility. The squad could be bolstered by the return of Zaheer Khan, who is likely to play his first match following an injury layoff. Leg-spinners Imran Tahir and Amit Mishra have been the most consistent performers, besides young opener Shreyas Iyer who has excelled despite lack of experience. With CSK, KKR and Rajasthan Royals setting the early pace and occupying the top three slots, Delhi will have to be at their best in the remaining matches if they are to have any chance of advancing. This is their last game of the season at the Kotla, and Gary Kirsten’s boys would be keen to provide the fans and themselves, a happy ending.