Odds are even as Zaheer Khan led Delhi Daredevils take on Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at FerozShah Kotla here tomorrow. This will be Delhi’s third match and first at their home venue this season. They lost the opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) but made a strong come back with a comprehensive 97 win against Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS).
On the other hand Punjab have two wins and a loss to their credit in three matches they have played so far.
While Delhi are coming into this match after a win, Punjab lost their previous tie after two straight wins. The hosts are eager to sustain this winning momentum, the visitors will be desperate to get back to winning mode.
“Delhi Daredevils have a better bowling attack and have a depth in batting, ” said veteran spinner Amit Mishra.
Talking to media persons here before the team practice, he exuded confidence that Delhi will perform better at home venue.
Last year we did well here and I am hopeful that we will perform even better this time. Punjab is a good side. We will have to be on our attacking best in all departments of the Game,” he said.
Delhi have received a boost with the arrival of Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews and return of Shreyas Iyer but it remains to be seen whether they will get a chance against Punjab.
"He (Mathews) has started training with the team but it is up to the management to decide about his place in the playing eleven,” said Mishra, adding, “We also have good all-rounders.”
"We are in a process to have a settled team. There will be no experiments just for the sake of it. We have a shrewd and experienced captain in Zaheer Khan and are lucky to have Rahul Dravid as mentor," Mishra said.
There is no doubt that , Delhi's batting will be dependent on the young trio of Samson, Rishabh Pant and Sam Billings along with all rounders Chris Morris and Corey Anderson It was. Morris' swashbuckling nine-ball 38 in the last match helped Delhi out play Pune.
Openers ~ Aditya Tare and Sam Billings ~ have not been impressive so far. Tare may have to vacate the place for his Mumbai teammate Shreyas Iyer. Zaheer Khan and spinner Amit Mishra will be their mainstay in bowling department.
"I am happy the way I have bowled. I will like to bowl even better," opined Mishra.
The hosts seemed to face problem of plenty in bowling. Australian Pat Cummins performed well in last match so he is also likely to remain part of the playing eleven. That means South African Kasigo Rabada and Mohammed Shami may have to wait bit longer to get into the playing team.
On paper Punjab has an explosive batting line up but their fault lines were exposed by KKR bowlers at the Eden Gardens.
Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, Hashim Amla, Manan Vohra and Wicketkeeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha will have to be at their best to see Punjab collecting full points.
Medium pacer Sandeep Sharma and left-arm spinner Axar Patel have done well but focus will be on veteran Ishant Sharma, who got to bowl just two overs against KKR, as Feroz Shah Kotla is hishome ground.