Out of IPL 2018, Delhi Daredevils plan to use last 3 games to prepare for next season

After the loss vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Daredevils have just six points from 11 games with three left to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2018), and even if they manage to win all of them, they won’t make the playoffs.

After losing the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and crashing out of the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL 2018), Delhi Daredevils bowling coach James Hopes talked about the difference in the mindset of the two sides – Sunrisers have been feeling the good pressure and his side the bad pressure. (DD vs SRH highlights)

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bowler Sandeep Sharma (L) successfully stumps Delhi Daredevils skipper Shreyas Iyer (R) during the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL 2018) match at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi on Thursday. (AFP)

“Bad pressure is when you are struggling and trying to do everything to survive. We know where we are at the moment. Our guys haven’t coped up well,” said a disappointed Hopes before admitting that the remaining three games will now be important to prepare for the next season. (DD vs SRH scorecard)

Delhi Daredevils have just six points from 11 games and they have only three games left. Even if they manage to win all of them, they won’t make the playoffs. (IPL 2018 standings)

“We are out of the tournament. We need to see the bigger picture. What do we have for next year? What does the roster look like for next year? Things will be spoken about. The next three games will be an opportunity to see some of the guys on the bench,” said Hopes, while saying that Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane might get a look-in.

Unlike Sunrisers, who have won most of their games on the back of good performances by their bowlers, Delhi Daredevils have struggled largely because of their bowlers. They made a hash of the 188-run target, allowing Sunrisers to get to it with nine wickets to spare.

“To be honest, we lacked penetration with the ball. I told the bowlers not to get too predictable and not to get stuck to one plan. I think Sunrisers are the best bowling lineup in the competition. But they too got caught up towards the end doing one thing all the time and Rishabh took them on. A score of 188 should have been a more competitive total than what it ended up being,” he added.

While Daredevils had a reasonably decent bowling line-up to start with, they were hit by external issues that gradually blunted the teeth of their attack.

“Our bowling has been depleted. We haven’t had Rabada here, he is injured. Morris is back home due to back injury. Trent is doing really well. What happened to Shami is a shame. He is stuck up with personal stuff. Our spinners have been an issue although Mishi (Amit Mishra has been doing reasonably well,” said Hopes.

Unlike Daredevils, the Sunrisers had packed their line-up with bowlers. Even injuries to bowlers through the tournament didn’t affect them as they have been able to find good back-ups.

“They have two good spinners. Rashid had a bad night, he conceded 35 in four overs. That is a bad night! Shakib does it for Bangladesh year in and year out. They are very well-structured in the way they defend the total,” said Hopes. “But we have lacked penetration.”