Underdogs take on top dogs in Ahmedabad

Match facts

	Delhi Daredevils had to fight for victory against Punjab, but it'll take some effort to beat them (file photo) © Associated Press Enlarge
Related Links Bulletin : Sehwag powers Delhi to convincing victory Matches: Rajasthan Royals v Delhi Daredevils at Ahmedabad Series/Tournaments: Indian Premier League Teams: Delhi Daredevils | Rajasthan Royals

Big Picture

The two teams playing the first ever IPL match in Ahmedabad present a bit of a contrast. The Rajasthan Royals, even though they were champions in 2008, are perennial underdogs and seem comfortable playing that role. They're the team most fans love to support after their own. They possess the tournament's fastest bowler and perhaps its most destructive batsman but, a few overseas players apart, also a bunch of boys who aren't individually threatening. Their captain, formerly the world's greatest legspinner, is now a glamorous poker player, an expert at staying in fashion and the team's chief inspiration. He spearheads Rajasthan's PR on Twitter, engaging in entertaining and sometimes frivolous banter with his mates, and he's fashioned a team in his own image, one that in his own words "plays to entertain".

There aren't any Delhi Daredevils on Twitter, unless they've been hiding in obscurity, apart from Wayne Parnell. Their players aren't darlings of the media, their owner is in infrastructure not Bollywood, and their captain, who's got into trouble more than once for his on-field temper, is sullen compared to his larger-than-life counterpart. Delhi have few frills and a low-key media presence. They are the team that shows up to get the job done, clinically, and the one most opponents will be a little intimidated by, even if they won't admit it. They have their best foreign players available for the whole tournament, their top five in the batting order is unmatched, and their Indian contingent is among the strongest. No matter who they play and where, Delhi are usually favourites.

These two teams, with their different styles, will clash for the first time at Motera, a 48,000 seater, one of four new venues this season. Both contested closely-fought opening games on Saturday: Delhi won theirs in Mohali, Rajasthan fell agonisingly short in a mammoth chase against Mumbai. One loss doesn't ruin a season, but a second in a row will be a little harder to come back from.

Team talk

Graeme Smith, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Shaun Tait and Shane Warne were the four overseas players Rajasthan fielded against Mumbai. Given that their top order struggled, they might consider replacing Mascarenhas and bringing in Damien Martyn or Michael Lumb to bolster the batting. Tait, though he leaked 11.50 runs an over, is likely to play to counter Delhi's powerful top order. Munaf Patel, who was ill ahead of the first game, could also come into the XI if fit. Warne had said they "don't want to change anything in the middle [order] as [Abhishek] Jhunjhunwala and [Paras] Dogra batted beautifully." But with Rajasthan, you never can tell.

Delhi had to do without Ashish Nehra's services against Punjab because of an injury. He could return in place of either Pradeep Sangwan or Yo Mahesh if fit. Another option, which will strengthen a formidable batting line-up, would be for Nehra to replace Farveez Maharoof, who took 2 for 37, while David Warner comes in as the fourth overseas player, instead of Mithun Manhas. That would be unfortunate for Manhas, who made a crucial 31 against Punjab, but a top order comprising Sehwag, Gambhir, Warner, de Villiers and Dilshan, with Karthik to follow, seems too good to pass on. Parnell has joined the Delhi squad after completing domestic duties in South Africa but is unlikely to play.

Previously…

The first contest between these two sides in 2008 was a no-contest, with Delhi cruising to a nine-wicket win with 29 balls to spare. The clash in Jaipur was much closer - Rajasthan won in the last over with three wickets in hand. Rajasthan won the first game between the sides in 2009 by five wickets, but lost the second by 14 runs.

In the spotlight

Yusuf Pathan: His 37-ball century, the fastest in the IPL and second quickest overall, was the sole reason Rajasthan got anywhere close to Mumbai's 212. On flat pitches and small grounds, Yusuf is a brutal batsman and Rajasthan's strategy in previous tournaments has been to build a platform for him to launch an assault from, whether chasing or batting first. He wasn't attacked with any bouncers during his blitz, which was surprising considering he has struggled against the short ball. A cheap dismissal will severely dent Rajasthan's chances of challenging Delhi's batting line-up. Expect Nannes to dig them in tomorrow.

Tait v Nannes: Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes are specialist Twenty20 fast bowlers for Australia. Tait sent down thunderbolts nearing 160kmh during the summer, intimidating international batsmen into dismissals, while Nannes maintained his accurate lines and lengths at around 150kmh. In combination, they were a potent force but tomorrow they will be opponents with the responsibility of making inroads into other's top order. Nannes was exceptional against Punjab but Tait was poor at Brabourne. Another failure tomorrow could result in Rajasthan chasing leather.

Prime numbers

• Yusuf went from 15 off 14 balls to 69 off 25 against Mumbai by hitting 11 consecutive balls for 6,6,6,6,4,4,6,4,4,4 and 4.

• Nannes' first spell Punjab was 2-0-3-0 with ten dot balls. His spell at the death was 2-0-9-2.

Chatter

"Over the 30-odd games we have played if you look at our numbers we probably are the worst in the first six overs. If you take the top three of Graeme Smith, Swapnil Asnodkar and Shane Watson that first year compared to last year (there is a ) 900 runs difference (of their aggregate score)."
Shane Warne wants some more momentum at the top of the order.