Daredevils expect clinical performance against Kings XI

NEW DELHI - Delhi Daredevils coach Greg Shipperd is expecting a clinical performance from his team against Kings XI Punjab in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Ferozeshah Kotla here Saturday.

Daredevils are lying at the bottom of the 10-team league while Kings XI are third after their third consecutive win Thursday night in Mohali.

Daredevils have managed just one win from four matches and Shipperd said his team has to win at least seven of the remaining 10 matches to make the knock-out stage.

”We need to hold firm in our direction. The team needs to win seven out of the remaining 10 games to qualify for the knock-out stage, we’ll be looking to give a very clinical performance tomorrow,” said Shipperd.

The Australian had a look at the Ferozeshah Kotla track, on which his team struggled in their loss against Deccan Chargers.

”We have had a look at the wicket and it has got some dead grass. I hope they will roll it sufficiently so that there is good bounce and carry. Then it will help both batsmen and the bowlers,” he said.

Asked why captain Virender Sehwag didn’t turn up for the practice, Shipperd said: “ He has some injury niggles but went through a long training session Thursday. It is important for him to be fresh for the matches. That’s why we excused him from attending the training session today.”

Shipperd also said that how his bowlers react under pressure will be important.

”Dealing with pressure situations will be important. The bowlers have been concentrating on bowling yorkers and slower deliveries in the training sessions,” he said.

He also wants all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who was bought by a whopping $1.9 million, to come good against Kings XI.

”Irfan may not have got a 70 or 80 but he is slowly improving and we expect him to do a good finishing job. We would like him to score 20 off 20 or take a crucial wicket,” he said.

Shipperd also had words of praise for Kings XI’s talented opener Paul Valthaty.

”Valthaty is probably the one man having the time of his life in the IPL. He hasn’t put a foot wrong,” he said.