New Delhi: In a nutshell, it is a do-or-die take at Feroz Shah Kotla. Delhi Daredevils, currently on the run to keep play-offs hope alive by winning remaining of the matches, have cleared the first hurdle. And now it is time to face their bottom-of-the-table neighbour, the Gujarat Lions as they welcome them in Delhi, tonight.
Bouncing back from a five-match losing streak to defeat the might of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Daredevils still have their hopes alive to travel all the way to the play-offs round. A surprisingly mediocore display from their bowlers allow Sunrisers to post a target of 186 at the latter's fortress, but a stunning contribution from almost all their batsmen, including the stand-in skipper Karun Nair helped Delhi cross the finishing line. And they will hope to repeat the performance.
However, the players will once again miss the experience of Zaheer Khan. The skipper hasn't recovered totally from the hamstring injury.
Gujarat Lions, on the other hand, have a match less in hand but have immense hope in heart that things somehow could turn their way to fire them to the top-half of the table. A disrupted start, few injuries and lack of team work witnessed the last season's table toppers pondering down at six. Mathematically, they too lay in almost the same line as the Daredevils, hoping for other things to go their way.
So summing it up, it all comes down to maths again. By the way, Gujarat won both the matches last season.
Here are the players to watch out for..
Delhi Daredevils
Chris Morris: As the season unveiled itself, Morris took off from where he left it last season. He started off brilliantly with the ball, scalping important wickets. Even with the bat, the all-rounder has helped his side reach big totals; but most of those efforts were in the early half of the season. Always ranking top in the IPL Fantasy League, don't be surprised if the South African produced yet another match winning performance.
Sanju Samson: If one can recall, he was the season's first centurion. Following his promotion up to the opener's position, Sanju has on occasions, managed to provide Delhi with fine starts. Having already scored 313 runs in nine matches so far, the team will require his technicality with the bat in full form as they take on Gujarat tonight.
The Gujarat Lions
Basil Thampi: The Kerela-based pacer has been Gujarat's revelation in an otherwise struggling campaign. His ability to vary pace, line and length, pressurise batsmen with yorkers in the death overs has earned him laurels even from the former greats. He has been one of the reasons why the Lions are still alive in the campaign with the slightest of chances, and thus much will be expected of the yougster tonight.
Brendon McCullum: On days when he gets off to a great start, he can demolish bowler and nullify any bowling attack in the world. Although this season has just seen glimpses of his glorious, fans will be eager to see the full movie at a batsmen's pitch like Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.
