IPL 2018: 4 reasons why Delhi Daredevils are Floundering

#1 Troubles at the top

Gautam Gambhir has stepped down from captaincy

The opening pair is one of the most important things in a T20 side, simply due to the fact that in a 20 over game, the openers need to go hard from the start and cash in on the Powerplays. In that regard, DD have been quite pathetic so far. They are 6 games into their campaign and they have already tried 3 opening partners for their captain Gautam Gambhir. The captain has not been able to bat at a pace that is necessary for T20 cricket and needless to say, he is past his sell date.

In 6 games, he is averaging 17 and after the previous game, his strike rate has dropped to 96.59. Anyone will agree that it is not an acceptable strike-rate. On the other hand, Colin Munro was dropped after two ducks (admittedly, he was run out in the second game), while Jason Roy’s inability to play spin was cruelly exposed after his scintillating unbeaten 91 against Mumbai Indians. The latest partner for Gambhir is the highly rated Prithvi Shaw and although he looked good in his last game (22 off 10), it is too early to pass judgements. Gambhir’s slow going at the other end will always have a negative impact on his opening partner.