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Delhi Daredevils, which represents the country’s most populous city, has been a prominent force in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the exception of last season. After being relegated to the bottom of the table in IPL 2014 with just two wins in 14 matches, DD have rejigged their squad to put up a better show in the upcoming season.The GMR-owned IPL franchise will be captained by South African all-rounder JP Duminy, who was one of their few shining lights last season. They purchased Yuvraj Singh for a record sum of Rs 16 crore to boost their line-up. Apart from Yuvraj, the franchise bought 13 other players, including the likes of Angelo Mathews and Zaheer Khan.The Daredevils, despite reaching two semi-finals (2008 and 2009) and the qualifiers once (2012) in seven editions, haven’t made it to the finals to have a sight at the coveted IPL trophy ever. The new season, however, brings new hopes as DD will look to put last season’s disappointment behind.Here is Delhi Daredevils’ predicted XI for the upcoming IPL season:
#1 Quinton de Kock
This young South African wicketkeeper-batsman was first snapped up by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013 after impressing one and all during the 2012 Champions League T20 held in his home country of South Africa. He subsequently moved to the Delhi Daredevils for the 2014 season.
De Kock can be explosive with the bat and has already scored six hundreds for South Africa in ODIs. He also holds a T20I strike rate of close to 120. He should slot into the Daredevils side as an opener just like he did last season. He hasn’t made a mark with any memorable innings so far in the IPL, but he is one of the foreign players who will carry huge expectations as he will also be doubling up as a gloveman for the team.
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#2 Mayank Agarwal
An attacking batsman by nature, Mayank Agarwal came into the limelight after finishing up as the leading run-scorer in the 2010 U-19 World Cup. His big moment in IPL came when he smashed 64 off 30 balls with his former team RCB in IPL 2012.
Now that Murali Vijay, Daredevils’ opener last season, has been transferred to Kings XI, this flamboyant Bangalore-based lad, who has drawn comparisons with the mighty Sehwag for his batting, may have to open with his colleague de Kock to play the role of launching DD to fearsome starts.
#3 Manoj Tiwary
Tiwary, despite starting his IPL career with DD, spent about four years with KKR and was one of their top three run-scorers. He was traded back to DD in 2014. Because of his front foot play and ability to attack the bowler by charging down the pitch, many have compared his batting style to England's Kevin Pietersen.
Tiwary has played over 70 matches in IPL and has a total of 1200 runs. This vast T20 experience will be vital for DD this season and this former Bengal captain will have to deliver the goods.
#4 Yuvraj Singh
IPL 2015’s richest buy, Yuvraj Singh, will be in Delhi Darevils’ dressing room this season from next week. This World Cup 2011 hero is a middle order heavyweight and can take on any attack in the world in this shorter version of the game.
“I am confident of doing well and hope that things get better from here and I make it back into the team, Taking one step at a time and IPL is definitely the first step.” Yuvraj expressed when asked about his Team India comeback.
Yuvraj was the costliest buy even last season and scored three fifties for RCB. The onus will be on this 33 year old – his long stay at the crease can create wonders for DD.
#5 Jean-Paul Duminy
JP Duminy is the newly appointed captain of DD and has previously represented Mumbai Indian and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Duminy is fluent with big hits and is an excellent fielder. He carries an outstanding strike-rate of 123.37 in IPL.
The left-hander can accelerate the innings during the death overs and as well turn his arm to take a wicket or two when needed. Duminy is an experienced campaigner who has played for South Africa in several big games and will bring all that to the table when he’s at the helm of affairs for DD, a team that struggled last season.
#6 Angelo Mathews
Sri Lanka’s ODI skipper Angelo Mathew is a big overseas name present in the Daredevils side. Although his stint as captain of the now banished side Pune Warriors was a low point in his career, nonetheless, he is an all-round talent who can always be banked upon given his international credentials.
As a right-hand middle-order batsman, Mathews keeps the scoreboard ticking, but is also capable of hitting the ball over the fence. He bowls at what can best be termed as a “lively pace” – generally dishing out cutters. 7.5 crores was spent on him by DD during the auction.
#7 Saurabh Tiwary
Saurabh Tiwary was a part of India’s Under-19 World Cup winning team in 2008. But it was IPL 2010 that made Saurabh Tiwary became a household name, when he plundered 419 runs in 16 games for MI. Hailing from Ranchi, this 25-year-old earned a national call soon after his IPL performance that year.
However, he has had a rather quite IPL in the past few seasons. After being part of the Mumbai Indians and RCB, he is now with DD. He will fill in the lower middle-order and may not get a chance to bat up the order as DD has other experienced names in the batting line-up.
#8 Amit Mishra
He may not have been fortunate with respect to his international career, but when it comes to T20 league, Amit Mishra is a very sought after leg-spinner. He’s the second highest wicket-taker in IPL and is also the only bowler to have picked up three hat-tricks in his IPL career.
He has represented Delhi Daredevils, Deccan Chargers and Sunrisers Hyderabad during his seven year long spell of IPL assignments. He was again bought by DD from SRH for 3.5 crores. He can flight and turn the ball consistently. He has also made several useful contributions in the lower order with his timely cameos.
#9 Mohammed Shami
After having been in glorious touch during the just concluded World Cup’15 Down Under, Shami will be in all readiness to resume his IPL commitments. He returned home with 17 wickets in nine World Cup games.
The Bengal quick was earlier with KKR and then donned DD colours in 2014. Shami’s ability to swing the ball and his accuracy will him make a vital cog in DD’s bowling department.
#10 Zaheer Khan
One of the best left-arm pacers produced by India, Zaheer Khan was the backbone of the country’s bowling attack for over a decade. The finest moment of Zaheer’s limited overs international career was when he won India the 2011 World Cup as the team’s highest wicket-taker.
In IPL, Zaheer played for RCB in the inaugural season before moving to Mumbai Indians for two seasons. He’s now been bought by DD for 4 crores and will lead their pace attack from the front. As much as Yuvraj wants to give a comeback to team India, so does Zaheer, who has been for the past year plagued by injuries.
#11 Imran Tahir
The Pakistan-born South Africa spinner was at his best during this World Cup. He produced several match winning performances and had become the Proteas’ go-to-man when it came to slow bowling. Ironically, he broke into the IPL scene only in the last edition.
He is sure to be preferred ahead of his South African teammate Albie Morkel – who is another overseas player in DD’s squad – in the playing eleven, as he has been found to be in a brilliant touch and his form will sure turn handy for the IPL team.
