Out of contention, Delhi Daredevils look to play for pride

Cricket is a festival, and if an Indian Premier League match happens here, things are on an overdrive as far as fans are concerned.

Cricket is a festival, and if an Indian Premier League match happens here, things are on an overdrive as far as fans are concerned.

“Why watch IPL on TV when it is happening in my city,” asked young fan Sudhir Doshi, who lined up with many others to buy tickets for Saturday’s encounter between Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium.

The second home venue for the Daredevils is expected to be packed, though commuting to Naya Raipur, almost 25-km away, isn’t easy.

Despite notching up a thrilling four-run win against the Sunrisers in their first match this season at Hyderabad, JP Duminy and Co don’t look favourites here, especially after losing to Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Thursday night.

The loss, which was their seventh in 11 matches, almost dashed their chances of making to the playoffs, and even consecutive wins in the remaining three round-robin league matches can’t make much of a difference for the side.

Skipper Duminy accepted the fact and said the side was playing to salvage pride. On the contrary, Shikhar Dhawan and Co, with 10 points from as many matches, are in contention for the playoffs.