The last chance saloon is full up in the Indian Premier League on Thursday when the Delhi Daredevils take on the Gujarat Lions from the Feroz Shah Kotla in a match which is massive for both sides.
Given the state of the league table neither of these sides can afford another defeat if they are to make it into the playoffs. Gujarat need help from others even if they win out from here but defeat for either ends their campaign.
Delhi Daredevils
A return to home surroundings inspired Delhi Daredevils to end a five match losing slump last time out and they will be looking to take advantage of the fact that they have four of their last five on home turf. One area where they really stepped up to the plate in their previous match was with the bat.
That should have filled them with confidence because they have rarely bowled badly in the tournament so when they bat well they are going to be a tough side to beat. This wicket in Delhi is quite unique so they will certainly have an advantage against any side on this ground but they have to bat well to retain that gap.
Gujarat Lions
Back to back narrow defeats have left the Gujarat Lions’ season hanging by a thread. When the last rites are written on this campaign there will certainly be a mention of injuries. They certainly haven’t helped them this season but I don’t think they are the only reason for their demise. A lack of foresight and planning has also cost them.
The bowling has been terrible for large parts in the season and it came back to haunt them again against Pune in their last match when they couldn’t get rid of Ben Stokes or even control him enough to win the game. That frailty has now seeped into their batting where they are guilty of going too hard knowing they need huge scores to win.
Team News
Delhi Daredevils are monitoring the fitness of their captain Zaheer Khan but the way that Mohammad Shami bowled in the previous match suggests they can keep Zak on the sidelines if they want. Sam Billings has left to join up with England.
Andrew Tye is out for the season for the Gujarat Lions and Jason Roy has now left to play with England so the Lions only have four real overseas options. Unless they change their Indian players they will be unchanged.
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Betting
I can’t fathom why Delhi Daredevils are the outsiders in this match. Delhi have won two of the three matches that they have played at home this season and they were only beaten off the final ball in the other by a decent Kolkata Knight Riders side but even then Delhi would have won that match nine times out of 10.
Gujarat Lions look like they have run their race this season. All of a sudden they don’t just have issues with the ball which they’ve had all season but they have them with the bat too with a number of key players out of form. That isn’t a good combination at this stage of the campaign. They ran out of steam this time last year too so the Daredevils at odds against look a fairly obvious bet.
Corey Anderson came to the party in the previous match for Delhi and he looks a solid price at 8/1 to top score for them again. He is adept at belting the ball at the end of the innings but we’ve seen him play a couple of rebuilding innings in this tournament as well should Gujarat Lions somehow find a way to take early wickets. With the confidence of the last match behind him I’ll take the Kiwi here.
I took Basil Thampi to be the top Gujarat Lions bowler in their last game and he was a joint winner with Pradeep Sangwan but I’m going to take him again as I think Delhi lose too many wickets at the end of their innings and Thampi usually bowls two overs at the death. He also takes wickets at the top of the innings too when Delhi can also be hit and miss so the 7/2 on him leading a Tye-less attack looks a good price.
Tips
WON – Back Delhi Daredevils to beat Gujarat Lions for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Coral
Back them here:
Back C.Anderson Top Delhi Daredevils Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 9.00 with Ladbrokes
Back him here:
DEAD HEAT – Back B.Thampi Top Gujarat Lions Bowler for a 2/10 stake at 4.50 with Boylesports
Back him here:
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