IPL 2017: Delhi have only pride to play for now, starting with Gujarat

Delhi Daredevils players celebrate the fall of a Mumbai Indians wicket at the Kotla on Saturday. Pic/PTI

From the sublime to the ridiculous: That's been the range of Delhi Daredevils' performance in Indian Premier League (IPL) 10. The team with talented youngsters under mentor Rahul Dravid, were supposed to be show-stoppers.

The likes of Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and Karun Nair may have done well in patches, but as a team, Daredevils have failed to live up to expectations.
Daredevils were able to chase a target in excess of 200 with consummate ease on one day, but fell like nine pins on one other.

Inconsistent Delhi
Such inconsistent performances have hit the team's cause so much that with three games in hand, they are already out of contention for a berth in the play offs. To add to the disappointment, none of the young turks have got the nod from the selectors when they picked the Indian team for the Champions Trophy. The boys now have nothing much to gain in short term but can make a strong statement with good performances.

Dravid has been candid enough to state that consistency has been an issue with the team. "It is very difficult to be consistent in T20 cricket. But our team has been more prone to it than some other teams.

"In Mohali, we did not read the conditions well and collapsed for mere 68. Then in Delhi we chased down 180 and then 200 in successive games, before thereafter we tumbled to our lowest (66 vs Mumbai Indians)," Dravid said.

'Learning curve'
"However, it has been a good learning curve for the young talented boys, and they are bound to take home a lot of positives from our campaign this year.

"These youngsters are already in spotlight and sooner than later will get their due," he added.

When the team comes up against Gujarat Lions tonight, Delhi players will will play for pride.