It is going to be a clash of the titans when Delhi Daredevils take on the Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai tonight for the qualifier II of the Indian Premier League season V. Stakes are high for both the teams as none of the teams after coming so far in the tournament would want to go back empty handed.
The way things have turned up in the tournament, it shows that both the teams are evenly placed at least on papers and would have to do something special here to get better of each other. Delhi had been the best team in the tournament and decimated every team that came their way and it reflects on the points table. Delhi finished the league stages at the top of the table but could not sustain that momentum and lost in the first qualifiers against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Delhi who is just a step away from qualifying for their first finals of the IPL would come hard at their opponent and would leave no stone unturned to set up a summit clash with Kolkata.
Whereas for the defending champions Chennai Super Kings, after a mediocre performance in the league stages, they defeated the mighty Mumbai Indians comprehensively in the eliminator to set up tonight’s mouth watering clash with Delhi. They have won the tournament twice and their record in the IPL surely does give them an edge over Delhi. Last time Delhi came here, Chennai dominated them outright and they would hope to do something like that in today’s match as well.
Both the teams have some great players and in all likelihood would be thick of action in tonight’s match. Let’s have a look at them:
Delhi Daredevils:
Mahela Jayawardene: Captain of the Sri Lankan team hasn’t made much influence in the season so far. He is a class player and can turn up the heat any time he wants. Chennai depends a lot on their spinners and it will be Jayawardene’s duty to dominate the spinners knowing the fact that he is brilliant player against spin bowling.
Virender Sehwag: He is leading the team from the front. Sehwag with 494 runs at a strike rate of 164.11 is currently at the fifth position in list of highest run getters in the tournament and would definitely push forward to win the Orange cap. He already has five consecutive fifties to his name and Chennai would be wary of that. He missed out on the last match but would be raring to go in this match.
Varun Aaron: He has had some injury problems in the past but he looks fit now. In the last two matches he has bowled well and he will be looking to continue his form. Aaron is a skitty customer and has the ability to beat the batsmen with his pace.
Morne Morkel: He is the current holder of the purple cap and that proves how effective he has been in this tournament. Morkel has led the Delhi attack quite beautifully and has played key role in some of Delhi’s win. He bowls an awkward length and is a very difficult bowler to get away.
Chennai Super Kings:
Michael Hussey: Mr. Cricket Mike Hussey does not require any introduction. He has been one of the key members of the Chennai Super Kings side and his team instills a lot of faith on him. He has not been seen in best of his touches in the tournament but he can break free any time. His innings in the last match against Mumbai Indians at the top of the innings indicates that a great knock from this man is somewhere around the corner. Delhi would want to get him out soon as they know what he is capable of and for Chennai they would want him to fire again at the top and counter Morne.
MS Dhoni: Dhoni struggled in the tournament and his strike rate hasn’t been good at all but his fiery century in last match against Mumbai shows that he is back which is not at all a good sign for Delhi. Because out of all Sehwag would know that what Dhoni can do if he gets going. So the skipper would have to repeat his performance form the eliminator because if that happens Chennai no doubt would be in the finals.
R Ashwin: Ashwin has not been among wickets but he is one of the most economical bowlers going around in this season. He bowls at crucial junctures and delivers the goods more often than not. He is an intelligent cricketer and will know that he will have to be at his best against some powerful Delhi batsmen.
Ben Hilfenhaus: Hilfenhaus played a major role in their victory over the Delhi Daredevils in their last match. He bowled with precision and his line was unplayable. He caught the Delhi batsmen wanting and Chennai would want him to do the same today as well.
By Indian Sports News Network
