You have to go back to 2012 for the last time the Delhi Daredevils made it to the playoffs of the Indian Premier League so that will be their first aim when they go into the tenth season of the T20 extravaganza. A significant South African influence has taken place in this side but they have been able to break the failure just yet.
Stats
Last Season: 6th
Captain: Zaheer Khan
Key Players: Sam Billings & Chris Morris
Best Odds: 12/1
Predicted Finishing Position: Group Stage
Fixtures
Saturday April 8 – Royal Challengers Bangalore (a)
Tuesday April 11 – Rising Pune Supergiant (a)
Saturday April 15 – Kings XI Punjab (h)
Monday April 17 – Kolkata Knight Riders (h)
Wednesday April 19 – Sunrisers Hyderabad (a)
Saturday April 22 – Mumbai Indians (a)
Friday April 28 – Kolkata Knight Riders (a)
Sunday April 30 – Kings XI Punjab (a)
Tuesday May 2 – Sunrisers Hyderabad (h)
Thursday May 4 – Gujarat Lions (h)
Saturday May 6 – Mumbai Indians (h)
Wednesday May 10 – Gujarat Lions (a)
Friday May 12 – Rising Pune Supergiant (h)
Sunday May 14 – Royal Challengers Bangalore (h)
Auction
Most expensive signing: Kagiso Rabada
Other notable signings: Pat Cummins, Angelo Mathews, Corey Anderson, Aditya Tare
Strengths
One thing the Delhi Daredevils don’t lack for is bowlers. They have a vast array of good Indian bowlers and a very strong set of overseas bowlers and all-rounders so whichever combination they put out and whatever conditions they face you would think Delhi have the answers and the personnel to cope fine.
Weaknesses
On the flip side a raft of high profile withdrawals have left them a little light with the bat. Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy were in line for huge roles in the batting line up and neither are here while Angelo Mathews could be missing for long periods too. They are going to need their top four to score big runs as their big hitting all-rounders will naturally be hit and miss.
Betting
The departures of Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy are set to allow Sam Billings the opportunity to open the batting and I think he will take full advantage of that. He is a modern day cricket who can bat 360 and he scores just as well off the seamers as he does the spinners. I would expect him to deliver some very destructive innings throughout the tournament.
There are dangers in the lines of Karun Nair, Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant who are all good Indian options and should remain in the side throughout but the Daredevils have enough Indian bowlers that they can afford Billings an overseas spot throughout and at 4/1 he’s one of the best bets of the tournament to lead the Delhi batting in my eyes.
Tips
Back S.Billings Top Delhi Daredevils Season Batsman for a 3/10 stake at 5.00 with Bet365
Back him here:
