Daredevils strive for winning formula

Sunday, April 12, 2015
Start time 1600 local (1030 GMT)

It's possible one of these teams has not spent on the entire squad as much as the other has on one player. Rajasthan Royals have shallow pockets but still deep resources. Delhi Daredevils have emptied their house season after season only to fail time and again, except during the first two seasons when they reached the semi-final; in 2008, they lost to, well, Royals. They have now lost 10 matches in a row, the last one against Chennai Super Kings, who were way off their best both with the bat and especially with the ball.

Daredevils should be absolutely filthy with themselves for letting that opportunity go. There might be a core building, though: in Nathan Coulter-Nile, Imran Tahir and Amit Mishra they have an attack that will compete. Mohammed Shami and Zaheer Khan will surely be added to the mix at some point. Royals will have to work hard to score runs against them, but it is the Royals' bowlers who will look to trip up the Daredevils batting. Tim Southee, Chris Morris, James Faulkner and Pravin Tambe could just as well be an international attack.

There is enviable balance and power in the Royals side, but Daredevils will like to think they are not too far off it if only their batting can come together.

Yuvraj Singh batted at No. 6 in Daredevils' unsuccessful chase of 151 against Chennai Super Kings. The innings included a nice cover-drive, a leg glance, and three awkward pulls, the last of which got his wicket. There was expected rust in his batting, but it was argued - reasonably - that he batted too low. While keeping him for the crunch was an obvious show of faith in Yuvraj, he and JP Duminy at No. 7 left the top too inexperienced and the basket of these two left-hand batsmen couldn't take the weight of all the eggs. There is merit in having a gun player for the end, but it might not be a bad idea to split the two, and have Yuvraj bat at No. 4, where he gets some time to build an innings. It will also give the inexperienced top order some confidence.

This is a big season for Sanju Samson. Last year he came close to the Indian ODI team, and even travelled to England. MS Dhoni has quit Tests, and is showing signs of decline in limited-overs batting. There are going to be tours this year when Dhoni might rest. While Saha is the heir apparent in Tests, Samson will want to make sure he is the first man called up when Dhoni chooses to rest. And in India, IPL form plays a major role in ODI - sometimes, even Test - selection; just ask Karn Sharma who made a Test debut based on IPL performances.

"Last year I didn't really know my role and played only a couple of games. I didn't really get a handle on how to fit into the team. This year, I am glad to have played the first game. We'll see how things unfold and take it from there."
Daredevils quick bowler, Nathan Coulter-Nile