Delhi Daredevils’ ineptitude has been apparent in all the departments of the game. This edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has not been much different from the previous ones. Viv Richards’ presence, as a mentor back then, made little difference to the team’s fortunes. Rahul Dravid, in that role, has spent more frustrating moments in the current and previous seasons.
That explains his frenzied celebrations with the support staff at the end of the match against Gujarat Lions the other night at Kanpur. Daredevils had won its fifth match of the tournament out of 12. Not enough to keep it in the running for a playoff spot.
The team did not have the right balance and combination to achieve its goal of a maiden IPL crown. Lack of match-winning batsmen and over-dependence on pace was a constant worry even though the team management has managed to put up a brave front in defence of its below-average show.
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Daredevils’ opponent on Friday — Rising Pune Supergiant — is a win away from a playoff appointment. A depleted Daredevils, with a few foreign stars having returned home, may appear an easy prey but Supergiant has a task at hand.
This is a format that can see a match swing on its head in the matter of a few deliveries. Obviously, Supergiant, with a stalwart like M.S. Dhoni possessing the exceptional quality to finish a contest on his individual strength, will leave nothing to chance in a match it would do well to win.