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.
Punjab have sealed a place in the semis with rain washing out the match between Delhi and Kolkata. They will like to keep the winning form going running in to the knock out stages. The pre tournament favorites Deccan are out of contention but will like to prove a point and finish on a high note to give their fans something to look out for in the next season.
Men at the Helm
Yuvi and Gilly both have led their sides very well but the difference has been that while Yuvi’s boys have been excellent, Gilly’s men have simply been dismal.
We have the bat
Punjab batters are in superb form. The only concern for Punjab is the relative lack of form for Yuvraj Singh. Deccan meanwhile have been improving. The big stars didn’t fire in the last few matches but others took the centre. Actually its been the bowlers who have let them down in the last few matches.
We have the ball
In the bowling department Punjab look one up with Pathan being consistent through out the league and Sreesanth running into some serious form. Charger RP Singh might be amongst the leading wicket takers but his tally is very misleading because he has given too many runs for those wickets and very few of them are top order batsmen.
Patrolling Party
Punjab dropped a few catches in their last match against Mumbai but effected some pretty good run outs. They have had some off days but have generally fielded well. Deccan on the other hand have at the most been patchy. They need to field well today to pep up their bowlers.
High on betting meter
Punjab are sitting high on most betting meters with offerings of 4 on 7 while Deccan give 11 on 8.
Who gets the tick?
Punjab start as favorites for this match but one can never count out a team like Deccan. They have players who can make a day their own.
We all have been waiting for such a thing to happen and at last somebody has given a heed to the hard work the poor bowlers put in. It will be the first time we will see a player wearing a purple coloured IPL cap on the field. Yes, the IPL has announced a running purple cap for the highest wicket taker at any particular time in the league. Irfan Pathan is going to be the first proud holder of this cap. Although Irfan, Sreesanth and Zaheer all have an equal 13 wickets in their kitties but Irfan owing to the best average will get the cap.
Besides these three, the other bowlers nearing contention are Watson and RP Singh with 12 wickets a piece and leggies Warne and Chawla and rookie pacers Dhawal Kulkarni and Manpreet Gony having 11 each. Its very heartening to see 8 Indians in the 10 top wicket takers in the league thus far. Their are more foreign batmen than bowlers in the league but there are many prominent international names like Mc Grath, Asif, Vaas, Tanvir, Pollock, Steyn and Muralidharan but only Warne and Watson are in the top 10 as of now.
Both teams have been badly wounded in the last few matches. Both lost to Kolkata by similar margin of 23 runs. But, both have tigers in plenty. So, watch out for this clash.
Men at the Helm
Laxman is still doubtful for this game. Gilly and Viru both have been very aggressive and led on instincts. Both will want to better their records and Deccan probably have the last chance to keep their semi final chances alive.
We have the bat
If batting of Delhi depends on Sehwag and Gambhir, for Deccan its depended on Gilchrist and Rohit. Overall. Deccan batting is stronger on paper but they have failed to fire. Delhi need Sehwag or Gambhir to play well up the order while for Deccan, Gibbs will want to set records straight.
We have the ball
Delhi have a far superior bowling line up and have restricted most teams to relatively low scores. Vaas and RP need to come good for Deccan.
Patrolling Party
Delhi are a very good fielding side but they were outdone by Kolkata in their last match. Deccan have good fielders but they need to get their act together.
High on betting meter
Delhi give a return of 8 on 11 while Deccan a 1 on 1.
