Delhi Daredevils host Sunrisers Hyderabad in the only Indian Premier League (IPL) game on Friday, with the hosts looking for their first win of the season. The franchise from the Indian capital have lost to defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, 2008 champions Rajasthan Royals and the Mumbai Indians so far. Meanwhile, Sunrisers, the revamped version of the Deccan Chargers (an older franchise) have had an excellent start to their first IPL season, winning two of the first three games.

Virender Sehwag
Reuters

Where to Watch Live

Play is scheduled to start at 3.30pm BST. Live coverage is on ITV 4. Follow the game live, via text commentary, on ESPN Cricinfo and watch highlights here.

Overview

Delhi coach Eric Simons will be concerned about his team's performances. The batting, in particlar, has been off-colour, with the middle-order failing to fire. The consolation, though, is top-order internationals like Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene and Australian David Warner have found runs in the opening games; Jayawardene hit 66 off 52 balls against KKR and Warner smashed 77 off 56 against the Royals and 61 off 55 against Mumbai. Simons has also had to do without local hero Virender Sehwag; the big-hitting Indian senior internatioal is an inspirational figure for the Daredevils but was ruled out with a back problem. He is fit now though and is expected to start today.

The bowling has also had to do without a key player - South African Morne Morkel. The 28-year-old fast bowler, who is very highly rated by Proteas legend Allan Donald, played his first match against Rajasthan but has yet to settle into his rhythm. He hit a useful 23 off 16 balls in the last match but was expensive with the ball, conceding over 40 runs from his four overs.

Dale Steyn
Reuters

Meanwhile, Sunrisers have a lot to live up to - the franchise won the 2009 IPL as the Chargers. And so far they're doing quite all right. The side appears to be well-balanced, with South African fast bowler Dale Steyn leading the bowling attack with typical venom and consistency. The 29-year-old has four wickets from three matches but, more importantly, has only conceded 64 runs from 11.4 overs.

The batting relies on the Sri Lankan duo of Kumar Sangakarra and Thisara Perera, as well as Australian all-rounder Cameron White. Having said that though, there have also been useful contributions from Akshath Reddy and Parthiv Patel, the two Indians who open the batting.

Sunrisers did extremely well to beat the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore, in Hyderabad, on Sunday. They did lose to Vijay Mallya's side, in Bangalore, in the return leg but that was largely due to the unstoppable brilliance of Virat Kohli, who hammered 93 off 47 balls. At the end of the day, if they can keep this form going, then they will definitely be in with a shout for a place in the knock-out rounds.

Team Form

Delhi Daredevils

  • Last Five (most recent first): L L L
  • Last Match: Mumbai Indians beat Delhi Daredevils by 44 runs

Sunrisers Hyderabad

  • Last Five (most recent first): L W W
  • Last Match: Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets

Team News

Sehwag is expected to return after missing three games to a back injury. Kevin Pieterson is out for the tournament. Jesse Ryder has also been ruled out, after he was assaulted, outside a bar in New Zealand, before the tournament. Fast bowler Varun Aaron is injured and won't be available for selection.

South African all-rounder JP Duminy suffered a heel injury late last year and has been unavailable for several months now. Indian Test batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who made an explosive start to his senior career when Australia toured in 2012 is also injured but he is expected to come back by the end of April.

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