Indian Premier League has taken everybody by storm. The amount of fresh talent that’s been exposed would lead people to believe that there may be many new faces in team India. But the fact of the matter is that, only 15 or 16 players can be selected in the team and the players who were already there and there about have performed really well. There might be just a few inclusions in the batting and in the spin bowling departments.
Looking at the eight teams and the Indian players who have been the best in each its interesting to find that they are already in the national team.
This is do or die match for Delhi. A win doesn’t gaurantee them a place in the semis but a defeat definitely puts them out of contention. Mubai will like to win this one otherwise they will need to win both of their last two matches, one of them being against Rajasthan Royals.
Men at the Helm
Sehwag has been operating smoothly throughout the competition while Sachin looked out of sorts in the last match against Mohali where he probably mismanaged the distribution of overs amongst the bowlers. Well, thats just one issue but Sachin has done pretty well otherwise and seems to be learning the nuances of this game quickly.
We have the bat
Both are very good batting line ups but Mumbai have a slight advantage over Delhi. Delhi rely heavily on Sehwag, Gambhir and Dhawan and need at least two of them to play well. Mumbai on the other hand have had contributions from Sachin, Sanath, Uthappa, Nayar and Pollock. They will definitely miss Dwayne Bravo as they did in the last match against Punjab.
We have the ball
Again Dwayne Bravo will be sorely missed by this department as well. Daredevils Mc Grath and Maharoof and Pollock and Nehra for Indians have been bowling well. Both the teams are likely to have problems with overs of the fourth and fifth bowlers and batsmen must wait to pounce on these.
Patrolling Party
Delhi are an excellent fielding unit and Mumbai’s fielding although good but will have to go few notches still higher to compete with Delhi.
High on betting meter
Mumbai are slightly higher on most betting meters while both are on level on others.
Who gets the tick?
Mumbai will look to win this one but will a blazing inning fron Sehwag or Gambhir pull this Delhi’s way?
Last time these two teams met the match went to on till the last over. Sehwag and Gambhir had failed then. If any of these fires this time and add to that the exploits of Marsh and Pomersbach, we could have a run feast on menu.
Men at the Helm
Viru and Yuvi both are aggressive and pro active. Both like to catch competition by the throat and have an unabandoned approach. It has all the makings of a fiercely aggressive and competitive battle.
We have the bat
If Delhi depend heavily on Sehwag, Gambhir and Dhawan, Punjab do on Marsh, Yuvraj and Mahela. Both the teams need other men to come to party running into closing stages of the league round.
We have the ball
Both the teams have very good bowling line ups. Delhi have a slight edge having Mc Grath, Asif and Maharoof because, although Punjab bowlers are in pretty good form but Sreesanth and Piyush can be vulnerable.
Patrolling Party
Both are superb fielding sides. Probably the two best on show in the league. Watch out for some scintillating stuff as Marsh, Yuvi, Hopes, De Villiers, Dilshan and Dhawan take the field.
High on betting meter
Both teams stand at same levels on most betting meters with returns of 90 percent and shade under.
Who gets the tick?
Both teams have good bowling line ups and thus the result is likely to be decided by the batting. It will need an extraordinary innings from a batsman to turn the tide in his team’s favour.
Delhi absolutely thrashed Rajasthan earlier, in what was the first match of both the teams in the league. This time around, tables seem to be turning and Rajasthan are gelling better. This should be an intriguing battle.
Men at the Helm
Sehwag has proved to be a good captain but he still has distance to traverse before he can slug it out with Warne.
We have the bat
Sehwag, Gambhir and Dhawan are dangerous up the order but Delhi’s middle order looks vulnerable and a few quick breakthroughs fom Rajasthan quickies could open the floodgates. On the other hand Rajasthan have had all the batsmen contributing but they still seem to rely on Pathan and Smith to play bigger innings.
We have the ball
Delhi have class up front with Mc Grath and Asif. Asif has taken wickets but hasn’t been as economiocal as others. Others bowlers could be exploited by Rajasthan. Rajasthan bowlers have come into their own as tournament has progressed. Still there are bowlers who could be taken for runs through some thoughtful play.
Patrolling Party
Both teams have fielded pretty well in the tournament. The valiant efforts of Jadeja on the rope for Rajasthan and by Dhawan for Delhi in the last match against Chennai are testimony to that. Delhi have a slight upper hand as far as over all fielding goes.
High on betting meter
This looks like a real contest on cards. Atleast this is what the book makers say. Almost all betting meters are giving the two teams even chances. Delhi are slightly higher on others.
Who gets the tick?
Last time these two teams met Rajasthan looked minnows but now they are not only giant killers but giants themselves and would be eager to set records straight.
