IPL-10: Mishra open to tweaking Daredevils' playing combination

It is still early days in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017, and Delhi Daredevils won't mind trying out a few combinations before getting a settled playing XI as the tournament reaches its business end, leg-spinner Amit Mishra said on the eve of their match against Kings XI Punjab here on Saturday.

Back from a resounding 97-run win over Rising Pune Supergiants, Mishra said the Daredevils will need about 7-8 matches to get a settled unit.

"It is the aim of every side to experiment as much with the batting line-up initially to create a good batting composition. The same stands for us. We did not over experiment with our playing XI last year," Mishra told reporters in the pre-match presser at the Feroz Shah Kotla here.

"However, when the team is performing, especially in the T20, there is less scope for experimentation," he added.

The Haryana leggie, whose three wickets broke the back of Pune middle-order, said the Daredevils will approach the upcoming games with the same aggression.

"I am very happy the way I have bowled. Will try to bowl more attacking in the next game. We will go for an attacking field placement, along with some good thinking," he said.

Mishra had no hesitation to call his side's bowling attack a better one than Punjab. Besides him and skipper Zaheer Khan, Delhi can boast of a potent pace attack comprising the likes of Pat Cummins, Chris Morris, Corey Anderson, Mohammed Shami, Carlos Brathwaite and Kasigo Rabada.

"We have a better bowling attack than KXIP, and would try to bowl better than them. We will try to analyse their bowling attack as well and plan accordingly. Don't think we played well enough in the last game against KXIP here in 2016, and will try to do better than last time," he said.

Commenting on the side's batting, which more or less lacks experience at the highest level, Mishra said: "DD too have depth in the batting order. As long as we don't give wickets away, the batsmen can bat comfortably and we can challenge any team with runs on the board."

Delhi will once again bank on young gun Sanju Samson, who struck a magnificent century in the previous game, the first in this edition of the IPL. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is also in good striking form alongside Morris.

Mishra also informed the availability of batsman Shreyas Iyer, who was out of the first few games due to chickenpox.

"Shreyas Iyer is available as well for the team. He has been practicing hard and would be interesting to see if he fits our team combination to be a part of the playing XI tomorrow," he said, without revealing the team composition for the tie.

Mishra also downplayed any undue pressure on the youngsters in the side.

"As far as the youngsters in the side are concerned, they hardly have any pressure over themselves. They have been given the freedom to play their game and express themselves," he said.

"Seniors and mentors like Rahul Dravid are giving them the opportunities to perform. The same stands for the seniors. They have been advised on how to bat, but no extra pressure as such has been put over any player in the side."

"We have full faith and confidence on the players, and hopefully, they will perform in the upcoming games," he added.

--IANS

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