After three consecutive wins, Delhi Daredevils lost their fifth game of IPL 2016 by one-run in an exhilarating run chase to the Gujarat Lions at the Feroz Shah Kotla on April 27. However, the Zaheer Khan-led team have come a long way since their loss in the opening game to the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens and are geared up to take on the Gautam Gambhir-led team in Delhi in their second bout of the season. With the tournament nearing the halfway stage, the match on Saturday afternoon would be a crucial game as both teams will come out all guns blazing in an effort to strengthen their position in the points table. “The first match is in the past. We have come here in the present. We know that it is a crucial game for both teams. They have also lost their last game (against Mumbai Indians) so there is pressure on them as well. We’re looking at our strengths,” assistant coach Pravin Amre said while speaking to the media ahead of DD’s optional practice session in Delhi. The hosts have had a good outing at their home ground so far in the ongoing season and are keen to get back to winning ways here before moving out of the city. “We’ve got two matches at home now (including the match against KKR) and we want to do well in this particular game,” Amre mentioned. Although they lost their last game here, DD have garnered the support of the home crowd with their efforts which had the spectators root for them as they fought against the Lions. Speaking about the game which showcased the team’s ability in the batting as well as the bowling department to keep themselves in the reckoning until the last ball, Amre said, “The last match was one of the greatest matches. When Gujarat Lions were 110 (without loss) from 10 overs, the way we came back (to restrict them to 172) was a great effort. “Especially the senior bowlers, Zaheer (Khan), Amit (Mishra) and Imran (Tahir), the way they bowled, it was a tremendous team effort,” he explained. “In the batting (department), we didn’t start the right way. But credit to JP Duminy for the way he handled that situation because he was the only senior batsman batting there. Also, the way Chris (Morris) batted was unbelievable. We needed 12 runs an over and we maintained that strike rate. The way he middled the ball was amazing. It was clean hitting, and they were all cricketing shots. The best part of this Delhi Daredevils team is that out of five matches, we got four Man of the Match and every time we’ve got a new hero. That’s the biggest plus about this particular team,” he elaborated while discussing the team. Asked if DD had been giving away far too many runs in their first few overs, Amre replied, “It’s a team game. It’s not only about the PowerPlay. It’s also about how you finish. If you see, Gujarat Lions got 72 runs in the PowerPlay, but in the last 10 overs they scored at six runs an over. We were 50 from 10 overs and then we scored at 12 runs an over. We can improve in every department match by match, but we are very positive about the way we are playing.” While bowling department has had good outings in some games, the opening is yet to click in their batting department. Asked if it would be a concern and would they be experimenting with another combination in the forthcoming game, Amre observed, “If you see, in the IPL we are the youngest team. We have a lot of talented youngsters in the squad like Rishab Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Mayank Agarwal and Sanju Samson. We are also giving them a break. The seniors are also doing their duty. The players we have, it’s important to give them a platform; to give them an outing.” The opposition has a very settled opening pair – Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir - who has been integral to the team’s success. While analysing the opposition openers and discussing DD’s plans he said, “They have got an advantage of a left and right-hand combination. Also they are playing together for the last three years. We have our own plans. We’ve had our bowlers’ meeting and discussed some plans. If you see the last match also we had plans for Suresh Raina and the way we bowled to him. We definitely have plans for both the openers.” DD has planned and plotted against mightier oppositions courtesy captain Zaheer Khan besides the team’s coaching staff. Discussing the skipper and his contribution to the team’s success, Amre said, “(It is) The way he is leading the team. Our seniors are taking responsibilities. If you talk about PowerPlay, he is bowling and if you talk about the 19th over, Zaheer is bowling (that slot too). He is doing the role for the team, leading from the front in difficult situations. We have a young team and he is handling the pressure situations, leading from the front and making sure the seniors like Amit take that responsibility. That is the best part, the seniors are raising their hands in difficult situations.” Speaking about the batting line-up which has less international experience than most other teams, he said, “What we’ve learnt in five matches is that with this batting also we can come closer. The last match was the best example. We have to go deeper. We have to bat till the 18th-19th over. We didn’t have a great start but we pulled ourselves back and tried to stay till long. That partnership (between Duminy and Morris) was needed. JP gave us that. Once we have a young team we know we have to pull till the end. You never know, we have one big over and we’re in the game.” While DD come into the match after a loss to GL, the Knight Riders, who will be playing their seventh match come into the game after a loss to the Mumbai Indians. The hosts have made an impression and look confident as they make their way forward. KKR have been one of the more consistent teams in the tournament thus far and will be keen to redeem themselves when they take the field. While it is Daredevils’ backyard, the Kotla is also the KKR skipper, Gautam Gambhir’s home in the domestic circuit. It will be a battle to watch out for as the former champions with tried and tested line-up take on the Zaheer Khan-led outfit.