Indian Premier League (IPL) performance fianlly got Yusuf Pathan and Pragyan Ojha earn berths in the one-day match sqad in the Indian National Team for the tri-series in Bangladesh starting next month as also in the Asia-Cup in Pakistan.
Selectors held a meeting at Mumbai on Friday and decided on a much young squad for both the tournaments and dropped older player Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. Earlier the duo was also ignored for the one-day team during the recently concluded triangular series in Australia.
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.
Delhi need to win this match to keep their semifinal chances alive. Kolkata would like to knock Delhi out of contention as Rajasthan did to them.
Men at the Helm
Ganguly has been a good leader but doesn’t seem to have come to terms with the nuances of this short format. Sehwag on the other has been instinctive, innovative and fairly impressive.
We have the bat
Delhi look a better batting side than Kolkata but a few quick wickets could expose the out of form middle order. Kolkata need one of Ganguly and Hussey to fire if they are to get to a respectable score. They need to make Hafeez sit out and play both Pakistani bowlers if fitness allows. Then they can open with Salman Butt and Debabrata Das or Saurav Ganguly.
We have the ball
Both are extremely efficient bowling units. McGrath has been impeccable through out. Maharoof and Yo Mahesh have been amongst wickets. Delhi need to play atleast one front line spinner in Amit Mishra whatever the conditions are and drop Rajat Bhatia who doesn’t seem to be coming any good with the bat. Kolkata must look at playing both Shoaib and Gul in the team.
Patrolling Party
Delhi are the best fielding unit in the competition. Everybody’s is almost tired now, saying that again again. They seem to stop everything, hold all catches and take all half chances. Kolkata are not that great a fielding site but they will look to give an inspired effort like they did in a couple of matches. Just watch Taibu field, admire his dedication and adore his commitment. Cricketers from smaller countries don’t hog the limelight, as was the case with Andy Flower. Watch closely, Taibu seems to be the best fielder in the world at the moment.
High on betting meter
Delhi are high on betting meter with returns of around 50 percent while a bet on Kolkata gives 125 percent additional to the bet.
Who gets the tick?
Rain Gods have been having a say at Delhi so this match could well be decided by the toss of the coin. Team winning the toss will like to bowl first. Should it be a full match, Delhi must cruise through.
Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Daredevils at Kolkata
Delhi who got off to a rollicking start in the league have now lost four of their eight matches. Kolkata are too on same points and there’s not much difference in net run rates too.
Men at the Helm
Both the captains have led from the front to win games for their teams. Other thing both have in common is that, both have persuaded on field umpires to refer decisions to the third umpire. Issues apart, both have been doing fairly good jobs and have been aggressive and intensive.
We have the bat
If Delhi have had Sehwag and Gambhir performing, Kolkata have had Ganguly and Hussey performing. Other batsmen haven’t yet come to the party. De Villiers and Karthik for Delhi and Butt and Hafeez for Kolkata have pressure on them to perform well now.
We have the ball
Both the teams are pretty well matched in the bowling department too. If Delhi have Mc Grath and Asif, Kolkata have Ishant and Gul. While Kolkata have Murali Kartik, Delhi may just miss a quality spinner like Vettori.
Patrolling Party
Kolkata have fielded brilliantly in the last two matches. Delhi as its is, is the best fielding unit in the league. Watch out for some boundaries saved, couple of sharp catches and half chances for run out being converted.
High on betting meter
Why Delhi fans are disappointed? Because this team has much more potential. And that is why they are convincingly high on most betting meters. Kolkata give a return of well over hundred percent while Delhi a shade under eighty percent.
Who gets the tick?
Delhi are pretty good team to be at the fifth position in the table, but Kolkata have shown that they have the class. Watch out for Mc Grath v Ganguly, Asif v Butt, Ishant v Sehwag and Gul v Gambhir.
© IPL Cricket Forum
The two teams are locked at eight points a piece. But Delhi have their noses in front with a game in hand. Chennai would be looking to overhaul them while Delhi will try to move a step more towards semi finals.
Men at the Helm
The men at helm were the instant hits on the international scene. Both are very aggressive but have a very calm demeanor while leading their sides.
We have the bat
Sehwag and Gambhir are in raging form. But the middle order has been a cause for concern. Dhoni and co need to get their act together after three straight losses. They have all the artillery, they just require to pull the triggers in tandem.
We have the ball
Delhi look stronger in this department too but if Ntini and Murali come to party for Chennai they could spell trouble. A couple of quick wickets and a not so in form middle order could be exposed.
Patrolling Party
Chennai are a pretty good fielding side but Delhi have arguably been the best fielding side in the league till now. De Villiers, Gambhir, Malik and Dhawan for Delhi and Raina, Badrinath and Morkel for Chennai would be worth looking out for.
High on betting meter
Delhi are high on most betting meters with gains of around 60 percent while Chennai give gains of about 125 percent
Who gets the tick?
Delhi look a stronger side but Dhoni may greet them with some surprises. Sehwag must have his plans chalked out too but just wonder if he does plan at all except for having a go.
