What

The Delhi Daredevils face a massive challenge – having been shot out for 67 in their previous match – when they come up against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 40 of VIVO IPL 2017.

DD are languishing at the bottom of the table with just two wins from 8 matches. The team must erase from their systems their poor showing in the previous match and capitalise on the opportunity of playing their next three matches at home. The team’s batting line-up could be boosted by the availability of Marlon Samuels, who was signed up as a replacement for Quinton de Kock. Zaheer Khan continues to nurse his injured hamstring, and in his absence the burden of captaincy will lie on the young shoulders of Karun Nair.

Sunrisers Hyderabad dismissed table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders in their last outing. Skipper David Warner led from the front, playing perhaps the most destructive innings of the season. Given their form so far, and the fact that they are on the brink of qualifying – having already won 6 of their 9 matches – SRH will do well to shift their goalposts and now look at finishing among the top two teams.

When

02May 2017, 2000 Hrs IST

Where

Feroz Shah Kotla Ground, Delhi

The Protagonists

Among the Delhi Daredevils batsmen, Sanju Samson will do well get to a big score; post his hundred, the opener has got starts in four innings, but has converted only one of those to half-centuries. The 22-year old needs to realise that in a young and inexperienced team like DD, every player needs to take that little more responsibility. Especially if one were as gifted as Sanju Samson. If Marlon Samuels finds a place in the team’s batting plans, he will be expected to make an impact pretty quickly.

On the SRH side of things, after the knock he played the other day, how can one look beyond David Warner. Also keep an eye on Kane Williamson, who seems to be enjoying the role of finisher; the Kiwi batsman has a career strike-rate of 122, but he has scored his 204 runs this season at a strike-rate of 174!

Among the bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been tidy with the new ball and impressive at the death, and continues to sit pretty at the top of the wicket-taker’s list. Among the DD bowlers, keep a close watch on Kagiso Rabada, who has looked good in his three outings so far.

Match within the match

The big challenge for DD will be who will stop David Warner? Chris Morris got the better of the SRH captain the last time round; can he do that again? Or will Kagiso Rabada succeed?

Head to Head

Overall: Matches played – 9, Delhi Daredevils Won – 3, Sunrisers Hyderabad Won – 6

When these two teams met earlier this season, Kane Williamson sparkled with the bat scoring a stroke-filled 51-ball 89 in his first knock of the season. The opener ShikharDhawan too contributed 70 as SRH posted 191-4. The Delhi Daredevils could only muster 176-5 in their chase, finishing 16 runs short.

Trivia

Delhi Daredevils has been the only opponent to deny Rashid Khan a wicket this season; the SRH leg-spinner has picked up at least one wicket in each of his remaining 8 matches.

The Delhi Daredevils have the best overall (bowling) economy rate this season – 8.08.

What Next

For Delhi Daredevils: Return fixture (Home) Vs. Gujarat Lions, May 4

For Sunrisers Hyderabad: Return fixture (Home) Vs. Rising Pune Supergiant, May 6 (4pm)