Two teams from the bottom half of the points table will take on each other in another match of the ongoing Indian Premier League. Deccan Chargers who are right at the bottom will take on Pune Warriors who are struggling at number seven. Chargers have only one win against their name and that was against the same team. Hence they will go into the match with a bit of confidence.
Deccan Chargers are in deep trouble with only three points from the eight matches that they have played, they will have to start winning on continuous basis if they want to have any chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Pune Warriors is also going through a lean patch and have not performed to their ability in the past few matches. Pune started the tournament on a high and defeated some of the more fancied teams like Delhi and Chennai, but they have lost their way a bit.
With the tournament entering its business end, both the teams will be looking to come out on top.
Let’s have a look at some of the players who can make a difference in this match.
Pune Warriors:
Michael Clarke: The Australian captain has returned from the series in the West Indies and will be looking to make a mark very early in the tournament. He is a class player and his current form has been awesome. Clarke has the ability to assess the situation and play according to that. Warriors will be hoping that Clarke will be the difference in his IPL debut.
Robin Uthappa: He has been the most successful Pune batsman. He is in the race for the orange cap and that shows how bigger role he has played. Uthappa is a clean striker of the ball and looks to take the attack to the opposition right from the moment go. It will be interesting to see him face Dale Steyn.
Ashish Nehra: Nehra has had an inconsistent tournament so far, he has bowled well in patches and he will be desperate to change that. Nehra is an experienced customer and can be very effective with the new ball. He has the ability to swing the new ball and will be looking to do exactly that.
Murali Kartik: He is one talented left-arm spinner. He has not played all the matches and that is a mystery in itself. Kartik is a very intelligent bowler and is mighty effective with his variations and flight. He has already bowled some match changing spells and his captain will be hoping for one more performance like that.
Deccan Chargers:
JP Duminy: Duminy has been the only consistent international batsman for the Deccan Chargers; the problem is he is not getting much support at the other end. Deccan’s batting has let them down big time and it will be up to this talented South African left-hander to change that equation.
Shikhar Dhawan: He is the leading run-scorer for the Deccan Chargers and has provided them the stability in the batting. Dhawan is looking in good touch and has played well some good innings. Dhawan has been hitting the ball well and will look to continue that.
Dale Steyn: The number one Test bowler is not that far from becoming the number one IPL bowler. Steyn has produced some unplayable spells and at times have made batsmen look silly in front of him. He is bowling with tremendous pace and control and the way he is swinging the ball is simply a treat to watch. Chargers will be hoping for one more great spell from this gifted South African.
Amit Mishra: He has been the biggest disappointment in the Deccan side. He entered the tournament on the back of some amazing IPL performances and a lot was expected from this leg spinner. Mishra will know it more than anyone that he has not lived up to the expectation and will be itching to prove his worth in the team. He is a good turner of the ball and can bowl some very good deliveries when he is in form.
By Gaurav Jha
Indian Sports News
