Delhi Daredevils struggled to find their true form during the first leg of IPL 7, that was staged in the UAE, Having been lauded for the signings that the franchise made during the 2014 auction, they found many of their big names, misfiring during the early part of the IPL
The supporters of the Daredevils will be hoping that a return to India for the rest of the tournament will hopefully see them show some of their true form. During the first leg of the tournament, Delhi played five matches in the UAE, and won just two of them, against the Kolkata Knight Riders and defending Champions the Mumbai Indians.
Saturday’s opponents the Rajasthan Royals were slightly more successful, with three victories to their name, and two defeats while in the UAE, a good enough record to see them sitting in third position in the IPL 7 table.
Both sides do return to India with comprehensive successes in their last games in the UAE, and will go into Saturday’s contest full of confidence. Delhi overcoming the Mumbai Indians by 6 wickets, while the Royals held their nerve to win a super over victory against the Knight Riders.
The Kotla venue is a small ground that encourages batsmen to go over the top, and regularly sees its fair share of sixes struck into the stands. The side winning the toss will most likely decide to bat.
Delhi’s strength appears to be in their batting line up, and the return of the fit again Kevin Pietersen has given the side a much needed morale boost.
With Pietersen to follow the opening pair of Murali Vijay and Quinton de Kock, and JP Duminy and Dinesh Karthik coming lower down the order, their promises to be plenty of fireworks from the home team.
How the Royals bowling attack copes with this big hitting batting order could be key to the outcome, and James Faulkner and Kane Richardson will look to make early inroads, while the spinner Pravin Tambe might be the key member of the attack.