Middle Order
Karun Nair
The Karnataka right-hander, who put forth a few impressive performances in last year's edition, will be key to his side's chances of posting a big total.
In the absence of both Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy, Nair will carry the extra responsibility of ensuring that the Daredevils post a competitive total on the board for the bowlers to feel safe.
Nair played one of the best innings of his IPL career last year against the Sunrisers Hyderabad and he will hope to produce similar performances against each of the teams this year as well.
Sanju Samson
The prodigy who seems to have fallen out of line a bit. During his time with the Rajasthan Royals, Samson impressed everyone with his batting and it was expected that a shift to the Delhi Daredevils, under Rahul Dravid and co. would only further enhance his reputation.
But during the 2016 season, Samson featured in 14 matches, amassing 291 runs at a strike-rate of 112.
It wasn't the kind of numbers one expected from a player like Samson, touted to be one of the next big names in the Indian middle-order.
With no services of JP Duminy to avail, Samson will be a key man for the Zaheer Khan-led side in the middle-order and he will hope to raise his game and deliver for the side.
Corey Anderson
One of the overseas buys for the Daredevils in the auction this season, Anderson was released by the Mumbai Indians last year and he will hope that, like he did over there, he can create a similar impact here.
Anderson has not bowled in a while and so he will strictly play as a batsman and the Daredevils will be happy since batting is where they are a bit thin at the moment.
In an overall career spanning two years, Anderson made 379 runs in 16 matches, with his best performance coming in the game against the Rajasthan Royals in the 2014 season, when he smashed an unbeaten 95 to help Mumbai pull off a sensational win.
The Daredevils will hope for him to produce such performances on a regular basis this year.
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