What

The Delhi Daredevils will come up against the Gujarat Lions for the first time this season when the two teams clash in Match 42.

The Delhi Daredevils have three wins from nine matches. In their most recent fixture – on Tuesday night – the Delhi Daredevils ended their five-match losing streak when they chased down 186 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. DD, who will still be without the services of Zaheer Khan, will look to build on that win; they need many more wins to stay in contention for a playoff spot.

The Gujarat Lions are seventh in the eight-team table; they have three wins from ten matches and need to win every single one of their remaining matches to give themselves even an outside chance of finishing the league season in the top four. Suresh Raina’s team has now lost two close matches on the bounce; they finished on the wrong side of the result in the Super Over against Mumbai Indians, and most recently lost to Rising Pune Supergiant in a last over finish.

When

04 May 2017, 2000 Hrs IST

Where

Feroz Shah Kotla Ground, Delhi

The Protagonists

Every time he walks out to bat, the spotlight will be on Sanju Samson – for the effortless manner in which he scores runs and for his habit of squandering away starts. Given his ability to caress the ball and find the gaps, if he stays at the crease for long, young Samson can certainly pile on big scores. This season, Samson has opened the innings on seven occasions, but he has only one half-century in those seven innings having got starts in four others.

Given the composition of their side, the Lions need their batsmen to win them matches. Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina and Aaron Finch can single-handedly win matches, and they need to come to the party now.

The Gujarat Lions’ woes against spin are well-documented; they have lost 26 wickets to quicks and 29 to spin bowlers this season. If the pitch at the Kotla remains dry, one could see DD unleash its spin trio – Amit Mishra, Jayant Yadav and Shahbaz Nadeem.

Match within the match

At some point in time in the future, Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan could all be fighting for one place in the Indian team. This match is one of those rare occasions where all three future contenders will compete on the same stage. Which one of them takes the edge over the others?

Head to Head

Overall: Matches played – 2, Delhi Daredevils Won – 1, Gujarat Lions Won – 1

Trivia

The Gujarat Lions have effected the most run outs this season; they have dismissed 9 batsmen by means of Run Outs.

The first wicket has fallen at the score of 53 in the first innings of each of the three matches played at the Feroz Shah Kotla this season.

The Gujarat Lions are the only bowling side to have not bowled a No Ball this season.

What Next

For Delhi Daredevils: Return fixture (Home)Vs. Mumbai Indians, May 6 (8pm)

For Gujarat Lions: Return fixture (Away) Vs. Kings XI Punjab, May 7 (8pm)