IPL: Struggling Delhi Daredevils face confident Chennai Super Kings

The Delhi Daredevils will have to summon form not yet displayed this season to have a chance of beating the Chennai Super Kings, who have topped the table following Punjab’s loss against the Mumbai Indians. At least they’ll have the support of the home crowd at the Feroz Shah Kotla in today’s encounter.

MS Dhoni’s side is back in familiar territory, at the top of the table, after five consecutive wins. The Daredevils are second to last and have had little to take away from the two wins of their six games this season. Kevin Pietersen’s return has had little effect.

Their return to home turf was not a return to winning for the Daredevils, with the Delhi side losing by five wickets to an inspired Rajasthan Royals— who have always impressed with their ability to spot young domestic talent. Karun Nair was their young performer on Saturday.

Delhi have failed to click as a unit, which is a majorreason for their misery in the league. In complete contrast, Chennai have been outstanding—be it while batting,bowling or fielding.

For Delhi, South African southpaw JP Duminy has been their best bet while batting, while India pace Mohammed Shami, along with the Proteas’ WayneParnellhave been the saving grace with the ball theirs.

The teams is placed just one place above Mumbai at the bottom of the table. They’ll need a miracle starting today to be in the reckoning for a topfour finish and qualification for the knockout stage.

This is not the first time the two teams are playing each other this season.

Predictably, Delhi were humiliated by Chennai in UAE. They batted superbly to set up a competitive 178 and then bowled and fielded exemplarily to send all ten daredevils back for an embarrassing 84 runs.

Their fate will hinge on the big names, namely Ross Taylor and Kevin Pietersen coming good, while Dinesh Karthik will have to show something in return for the surprising investment the franchise made in him.

However, winning or even trying harder is always easier said than done when the team is going through a rough patch. Moreover, they have to do so against a group of winners. From the top to middle and lower order, Chennai’s battingline-up is equipped with match winners.

Dwayne Smith andBrendon McCullum have given the side an assuring solid opening pair and in the middle order of Suresh Raina, Dhoni and Faf du Plessis can cover for any bad luck that befalls the top two.

Beleaguered Kolkata Knight Riders need a win

The last time they clashed, the Rajasthan Royals edged past Kolkata Knight Riders in perhaps the most nerve-wrecking contest of this season and it promises to be another humdinger when the two teams with fluctuating fortunes square off today.

Their first clash was by far the most exciting of the season. Both teams ended their regulation overs on the same score, before also finishing level in the Super Over. The Royals won on boundary count.

The Royals are better-placed as far as morale is concerned. The team chalked out a thumping win over Delhi Daredevils on Saturday, while discovering a match-winner in young Karun Nair, who slammed a 50-ball 73.

Kolkata, on the other hand, were thoroughly outplayed in their 34-run defeat at the hands of Chennai Super Kings in their most recent match.

The Royals’ batsmen have been in fine form, but more would be expected of the likes of Shane Watson and Sanju Samson, both of whom have been had good starts but are yet to come up with something really big.