Raipur: Delhi Daredevils face a do-or-die situation when they take on table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match here on Friday.
With 12 points from 12 games, Daredevils need to win their penultimate league match to stay in contention for play-off berth. A loss will knock them out of the last four race.
Hyderabad, after a consistent run in the ninth edition of the cash-rich tournament, sit comfortably at the top of the points table with 16 points from 12 games. The David Warner-led Sunrisers have already qualified for the play-offs.
Delhi come into the Friday’s match after a 19-run loss to Rising Pune Supergiants, while Hyderabad have beaten Kings XI Punjab by seven wickets.
Rahul Dravid-mentored Delhi failed to find any rhythm in the last two outings and will aim to give their all when they come up against a strong Hyderabad side.
The top and middle order batsmen comprising Quinton de Kock, Sanju Samson, Karun Nair, Shreyas Iyer will have to get back among runs to help the team to a competitive total.
The experienced Jean-Pael Duminy and all-rounder Chris Morris will hope to accelerate at the death overs with the bat, which they are well known for.
The pace bowling department, lead by skipper Zaheer Khan, Mohammad Shami, Nathan Coulter-Nile, has been consistent but failed to make it count in the crucial moments of the game in the last two matches.
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who has been among the wickets, will aim to deliver a similar show against Sunrisers.
On the other hand, riding on opening duo skipper David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan’s good form, Hyderabad have made it to the play-off stages with ease and are a top contender for the title.
Their middle order comprising New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson, India’s veteran all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, Australia’s Moises Henriques have stepped in well with handy knocks.
Veteran Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Ashish Nehra has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a hamstring tendon injury.
“The India veteran pacer is now in consultation with a specialist orthopaedic surgeon for the most appropriate course of treatment to ensure a successful return to competitive cricket,” Sunrisers Hyderabad said in a release.
“Unfortunately he will play no further part in the ninth edition of the Indian Premier League for Sunrisers Hyderabad.”
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Bangladesh promising talent Mustafizur Rahman will now have to share the burden to carry the team to the finish line.
