IPL 2018: Delhi Daredevils squad analysis

Bowlers

Rabada will be key to DD's bowling success, especially if Shami is ruled out of IPL

Delhi would be really hoping that the Mohammed Shami (who was retained by Right to Match) controversy gets over before the Indian Premier League. If Shami is ruled out of the IPL it would be a huge setback for DD.

Shami is expected to lead the attack along with Kagiso Rabada, both of whom have been impressive in Test matches and would like to take their form into the shortest format of the game.

The New Zealand pacer, Trent Boult is another reputed option for the Delhi Daredevils and can come in handy if the team decides to play a left-arm seamer against a particular opponent.

However, it is the likes of Avesh Khan and Harshal Patel that can very well be the element of surprise. Avesh Khan (8 wickets in 6 T20s) was one of the finds of the ICC U-19 World Cup 2016 and went to India’s tour of South Africa as a net bowler as he impressed skipper Virat with his bowling ability and raw pace.

Amit Mishra (who is the only bowler with 3 IPL hat-tricks) and Shahbaz Nadeem are likely to be captain's go-to option in the spin department in a team which also features Jayant Yadav, Rahul Tewatia and Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane.