Deccan Chargers would be hosting Delhi daredevils in match 55th of the Indian Premier League. Daredevils currently at the number two position on the points table will be looking to beat Chargers to go to the top whereas Deccan who are virtually out of the tournament would be desperate for a win.
Stakes would be more for Delhi as they have everything to play for and they know a defeat against the bottom placed team can throw the whole points table into doldrums as they know there are seven teams as of now who are in contention for the play-offs. Last time the teams met in Delhi, the home team beat them convincingly and they would be hoping to repeat their feat.
Both the teams have good players in their armory and the success of the team would depend on these players would fare in the match:
Delhi Daredevils:
Virender Sehwag: He is leading the team from the front. Sehwag currently, on the number second position in the list of highest run getters, would definitely look to go to the zenith. He already has five consecutive fifties to his name and Deccan would be would be wary of that.
David Warner: The explosive left handed batsmen did play on the expected lines in the last match which was his first match of the tournament. He would be raring to go and is very dangerous up the order.If he gets going then Deccan sure would have to run for covers.
Morne Morkel: He is in the race for the purple cap. Morkel already has 19 wickets to his name, and is just trailing by one wicket from leader Lasith Malinga. He has bowled viciously and his precise line and length has made him one of the most dreaded bowlers of the IPL.
Shahbaz Nadeem: He has been a revelation this season. The left arm spinner is bowling very cleverly and the way he bowls to Cameron White and Kumar Sangakkara would be a treat to watch, considering their prowess at playing spin bowling.
Deccan Chargers:
Cameron White: After going through a bad phase early on, he has come back to form. White is a big hitter and he is the player on which the Deccan team depends heavily. White is a very good hitter against spin bowling and will play a vital role in the middle part of their innings. The Aussie can clear any ground with ease and the Delhi will know it very well that they will have to get White out of their way to get to the desired result.
Shikhar Dhawan: He has batted beautifully throughout the tournament and is in the race to win the Orange cap. The left-handed opener has almost all the shots in his book and can take any bowling attack. He connection with Delhi would give him an upper hand and he can play a crucial role in today’s match provided he can exploit the Delhi bowlers.
Dale Steyn: The number one Test bowler in the world will take the new ball for the Chargers. Steyn is a very talented bowler and is already considered to be one of the best fast bowlers in the history of cricket. He is a genuine swing bowler and bowls at a rapid space. Steyn can bowl some match changing spells and will be a threat to any batting line-up.
Ankit Sharma: He might not have been amongst the wickets, but his economy rate in the tournament is outstanding. The medium pace bowler has been bowling with great line and length and is amongst the top five most economical bowlers of the tournament.
By Samikshan Dutta Choudhury
Indian Sports News Network
