IPL 7: Delhi Daredevils stage grim battle for survival

The beleaguered Delhi Daredevils are in danger of ending their IPL championship chances in only their ninth game of the season against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. They must win every match from hereon to qualify for the play-offs, but their recent form of three consecutive defeats, and six overall, will not inspire much confidence for the fans.

A return home to Feroz Shah Kotla has not helped as they are yet to win in India this season, losing three to fall to the bottom of the table. The quantum of their losses has been dispiriting—they lost by seven wickets to the Rajasthan Royals and by eight wickets to both Chennai and Kolkata.

Neither the batsmen nor the bowlers have been consistent for Delhi. Their strike bowlers Mohammad Shami and Wayne Parnell have just nine wickets between them. The poor form of captain Kevin Pietersen has added to Delhi’s misery. He’s managed just 62 runs from five innings this season.

In contrast, Hyderabad will be buoyed by how they managed to defend a paltry total on Thursday against the Rajasthan Royals. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Dale Steyn have made them one of the best bowling sides in the league this season. Shikar Dhawan, David Warner and Aaron Finch are their best batting options.

MUMBAI FACE CHENNAI

Mumbai, who have their campaign back on track after losing their first five matches, will be tested by the ChennaiSuper Kings in a potentially explosive contest today at the Wankhede Stadium.

Defending champions Mumbai will need to continue their winning form if they are to have a chance of making the play-offs. They’ve recorded comprehensive wins over the Kings XI Punjab and the Royal Challengers Bangalore at their fortified home venue. However, a first defeat in 11 games at this venue would derail their quest for retaining their IPL crown.

Chennai were pummelled by Punjab in the last match and will be looking to bounce back from the heavy loss. The Super Kings bowlers, ripped apart first by Glenn Maxwell and then by George Bailey, will have to deal with Mumbai’s in-form captain Rohit Sharma and burlyWest Indian Kieron Pollard.

Sharma, who made a superb unbeaten 59, and Pollard (43) put on a big partnership for the fifth wicket against Bangalore in Mumbai’s previous game to help the home team post their highest total—187—this season. Both batsmen are familiar with the Wankhede pitch, where the ball comes on to the bat nicely. Expect a high-scoring game.

Middle-order batsmen Ambati Rayudu and Corey Anderson have also been explosive in spurts, while young opener Chidambaram Gautam has surprised with his power.