What Delhi Capitals need to do in order to reverse IPL playoff nightmare?

Delhi Capitals are all set to square off against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2020 at the Sheikh Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Shreyas Iyer’s team head into the playoffs low on confidence after suffering a 57-run defeat against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 1. This has prolonged Delhi Capitals’ nightmare in IPL playoffs. The loss to four-time champions Mumbai Indians was Delhi Capitals' sixth in seven IPL playoff games ever since 2008 and it once again reaffirmed that in pressure situations, Delhi Capitals have buckled. Their task to reverse this trend will not be easy as they take on a Sunrisers Hyderabad outfit that has won four consecutive games and are surging high on momentum.

What must Delhi Capitals do in order to reverse their playoff nightmares? If one looks at their record ever since 2008, it is a sorry tale. In the 2008 IPL semi-final against Rajasthan Royals, they conceded too many runs and were bowled out cheaply. 87 to be precise to lose by 105 runs. In IPL 2009, they finished on top and in the semi-final, put up a middling total but they were undone by an inspired knock from Adam Gilchrist. In IPL 2012, they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in the new playoff system in Qualifier 1.

However, an injury in Qualifier 1 resulted in the entire team composition going for a toss and they handed a debut to an uncapped bowler who leaked plenty of runs. After seven years of pain, as Delhi Capitals, they entered the playoffs and they created history by beating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator clash. However, in Qualifier 2, they were beaten by Chennai Super Kings.

Clear plans, clear team composition

Looking at the trends and results of Delhi Capitals in 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2019, there are some basic things that Delhi Capitals can do right in order to reverse their playoff position.

If one looks at their win against Sunrisers Hyderabad, there were contributions from the top order which gave them momentum after the bowlers had done their bit. At least two batsmen scored over 40 and had a strike-rate of close to or over 150. With Delhi Capitals struggling for momentum in IPL 2020, the top order has to score aggressively and score big, preferably with at least 3-4 batsmen scoring over 40.

Delhi Capitals, if they bat or bowl, they must score big and bat aggressively. In IPL 2012, their insipid batting resulted in the team not going past 150. Even in IPL 2019, during Qualifier 2 against Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals huffed and puffed their way to 147, a total which was too little. If Delhi Capitals are to create pressure on the opposition, they must score at least over 160 or 170 in order to stand a chance.

When one looks at their losses in the last five games, one can see that Delhi Capitals did not even get past 150. The match in which they did get past 150, they won it against Royal Challengers Bangalore. The psychological edge of posting 160 ior 170 in a playoff game is big.

Delhi Capitals must NOT repeat the mistake of 2012. They need a clear team composition which can yield them depth in both batting and bowling. Perhaps, shuffling the batting order might not be a good idea as there are reports that Shikhar Dhawan might get a new opening partner in Marcus Stoinis.

This is a good opportunity for Delhi Capitals to break their playoff jinx. The fact that they defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the knockout stages previously gives them added belief. It all depends upon execution now.