Delhi Daredevils will host the Deccan Chargers in another match of the ongoing Indian Premier League. The two teams have had different fortunes in the tournament. Delhi has won three out of the four matches that they have played and if they win this match they will lead the points table. Deccan on the other hand, has lost all the three matches that they have played in.
The match is very crucial for the Hyderabad team because they can’t afford to be on no points with the tournament reaching its third week. Deccan has had two close matches and in both the matches they lost in the final over, they will be hoping that their bad luck will end in this match. Daredevils are having a dream tournament as they crushed their last two opposition and they are definitely very strong contenders for the playoff spot.
Both the teams look strong on paper and let’s have a look at some players who can make their mark in this match.
Delhi Daredevils:
Mahela Jayawardene: The Sri Lankan captain hasn’t got much opportunity to bat so far in the tournament. He is an intelligent cricketer and assesses the situation beautifully. Jayawardene is very effective in all the formats and his natural ability to time the ball makes him very dangerous. The Delhi crowd will be waiting to see this master batsman in his act.
Virender Sehwag: Captain of the Daredevils has already played some good innings; he has made a couple of 30’s but he will know that he has to play a big innings sooner rather than later. He is a murderous batsman and has one of the best strike-rate in the game. Sehwag is looking in good touch and Deccan will be very well aware of the things he can achieve.
Umesh Yadav: He is one of the most promising fast bowlers in India at the current stage. Yadav is bowling with good pace and has already made an impression. He has the ability to swing the new ball and is doubly dangerous with his in-swinging Yorkers with the old ball.
Shahbaz Nadeem: This slow left arm bowler made his name in the last match that he played. He bowled with tremendous control and forced batsmen into playing bad strokes. He showed in the last match that he can ball with the new ball and Sehwag used him beautifully.
Deccan Chargers:
JP Duminy: Deccan Chargers will be regretting the fact that they did not play this attacking South African batsman in the first two matches. Duminy showed what he is capable of in the last match against the Rajasthan Royals and it was his quick-fire fifty that took the Hyderabad team to a total close to 200. Duminy can chip in with the ball as well and has the ability to break partnerships.
Daniel Christian: He has been batting well in the tournament. Christian is a tremendous striker of a cricket ball and can clear any boundary with ease. Christian plays well against both spinners and fast bowler. He is more than handy with the ball and Deccan will need his full services to compete with a strong Delhi side.
Dale Steyn: He bowled a breath-taking spell against the Mumbai Indians, but he was ordinary against the Royals. Deccan will be hoping that their premier fast bowler gets his rhythm back quickly because they really need him. Delhi has a star-studded batting line-up and if there is any bowler who can trouble them it is Dale Steyn.
Amit Mishra: Mishra bowled well in the last match and picked important wickets. His heroics however, did not prove good enough for his team to win the match and he will be willing to change that. Mishra can be very dangerous on the Kotla pitch as no one knows the pitch better than him. He has played a lot of his cricket here and will be itching to have a bowl on this track.
By Gaurav Jha
Indian Sports News