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Deccan v Delhi, IPL 2010, Cuttack
Struggling Delhi look for change of luck
The Preview by Kanishkaa Balachandran
March 20, 2010
Match facts
March 21, 2010
Start time 1600 (1030 GMT)
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Big picture
Things aren't so rosy for the Delhi Daredevils, who've slipped from top of the table after two games to No.6. Gautam Gambhir's absence has had a bigger impact than they could have imagined, and a date hasn't yet been set for his return. Their biggest worry, though, is their bowling, which has failed to defend totals of 218 and 185. And even those high scores belie a shaky batting line-up, with AB de Villiers out of form and Tillakaratne Dilshan yet to play a special innings. A strong middle-order performance will play a big part in getting Delhi back on track. Their seamers, especially Dirk Nannes, can be very potent on pitches that offer seam movement and pace. In Ashish Nehra's absence, the responsibility on Nannes has only increased. After two forgettable showings at home, they'll hope for better luck at a new venue.
Deccan have rebounded well after losing their opening game, recording back-to-back wins against Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab. Adam Gilchrist retained the winning line-up against Punjab and the team looked in control of the game for most of the game. Their overseas players, including Andrew Symonds and Chaminda Vaas, have performed consistently and they are one of the form teams in this tournament. If Deccan win, it will be their first against Delhi in the league stages of the IPL.
Team talk
Gambhir's return is still uncertain and assistant coach Eric Simons hinted that he could miss the next couple of games. Dinesh Karthik will continue to lead the team in his place. Wayne Parnell hasn't got a game, neither has Moises Henriques, though it won't be a bad idea to bring in the allrounder Henriques in place of the under-pressure de Villiers. Sarabjit Ladda has been expensive, so they can consider replacing him with Sarandeep Singh.
Deccan's VVS Laxman suffered an unfortunate injury to the arm while batting against Punjab. The fact that he retired hurt suggested that the injury could be serious. His absence could give Venugopal Rao an opportunity.
Previously…
Delhi 4 Deccan 1
Delhi won both their matches against Deccan 2008. They won their home game by 12 runs and the away game by a nine-wicket margin.
Delhi won the first match against Deccan in 2009 by six wickets, thanks to Nannes' opening spell. Deccan ought to have won the return match, needing 25 in three overs, with six wickets in hand but choked, losing by 12 runs. Rajat Bhatia was the hero on that occasion. But Deccan had their revenge in the more important clash - the semi-final.
In the spotlight
AB de Villiers: Thirty-five runs in four games at 8.75. Not numbers you will associate with the South African batsman, but a big score is due. Fortunately, his poor batting form hasn't rubbed off on his fielding, which is as sharp as ever. But you have to admit that he's one failure away from being dropped.
RP Singh: The left-armer has struggled in Indian conditions and he's yet to recreate his form from last year, where the swing and seam in South Africa made him feel at home. Three wickets at 36 and an expensive economy rate of 9.81 aren't figures you'd expect from the team's strike bowler.
Chaminda Vaas v Delhi top-order: He did it to Kolkata, Chennai and Punjab. A fascinating duel with Sehwag beckons.
Prime numbers
- Chaminda Vaas remains the Purple Cap holder with seven wickets, followed closely by hat-trick man Praveen Kumar at six.
- Virender Sehwag's strike-rate of 194.68 is the highest for any batsman who has played four matches. Gilchrist's slightly ahead at 195.31 but he's played one game less.
Chatter
"We know what Gilchrist did to us in the semifinal last year. We know what kind of a player he is and what is the kind of player Gibbs is."
Delhi opener David Warner is concerned about a few matchwinners in the opposition
"We can't take anyone lightly and Delhi are a quality side, they showed it in IPL 2. But, we must do our things well and not worry too much about the opposition."
Deccan coach Darren Lehmann exercises caution as well
Kanishkaa Balachandran is a sub-editor at Cricinfo
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© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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Kanishkaa Balachandran
Sub-editor A commerce graduate, Kanishkaa showed up for his first day at Cricinfo
droopy eyed, having waved goodbye to a job in India's flourishing BPO industry a few
hours before. He worked in Cricinfo's Customer Relations Management team in
Chennai for 14 months, blogging about cricket on the side, before accepting
a rather generous and unexpected offer to join the editorial team in Mumbai.
Now in Bangalore, he is the victim of his colleagues' wisecracks and leg-pulling. He also involuntarily brings it on himself, thanks to his klutzy and comical ways, which have rightfully earned him the nickname Kramer.
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It'll be a win for DC...the game wont be too easy, but it wont be a last ball finisher either. expecting venu to play instead of laxman.
Posted bylocal talent is a big worrry for DC they lost AT RAYUDU FOR MUMBAI INDIANS THIS WAS A HUGE LOSS the main reason is bcoz of the WORST CRICKETR IN THE WORLD ARJUN YADAV AND HIS FATHERS POLITICS MADE HIM TO MUMBAI INDIANS DC should concentrate on local talent more
Posted by Codestriker on (March 21 2010, 09:27 AM GMT)Delhi is going through a rough patch...be it batting or bowling dept...Dilshan n AB haven't been anywhere near to the form they were in the last 2 IPLs....Gambhir's absence in the lineup seems to have really hit the scoring chart of Delhi. I think either Parnell or Henriques should be given a chance to play in the place of AB to balance the bowling dept of the team. Moreover, Henriques can also contribute in batting with bowling a decent 4 overs. Deccan as of now are looking a stronger side than Delhi. The Daredevils will need their batsmen to score around 200 to make sure they don't lose badly to Chargers this time.
Posted byThe quicker they drop RP the better it is for deccan. He seems to have lost the swing completely and his bowling at 120 kph is giving a free hit to batsmen every ball. Instead playing roach instead of gibbs will help them as their local players are capable of playing a run a ball knocks.
Posted by kardinal on (March 21 2010, 09:07 AM GMT)Why is this cricinfo editor slamming AB by giving his numbers. Dear editor please show Dilshan's numbers please.. OK I'll show you. Dilshan's batting scores are 0, 0, 17, 14 in four matches respectively and there's no need to tell about his pathetic bowling. It's ridiculous to remove AB by not removing Dishan. Next time please write some sense
Posted bydilshan will fire today and ab need to drop the team
Posted by avkris on (March 21 2010, 07:21 AM GMT)this is a must win game for delhi to avoid not only a hatrick defeat but also to avoid falling behind others. so they hav to go all out and make crucial changes in d 11. they can't hope against hope that dilshan n de villiers will fire. they must drop both those guys n bring in henriques & parnell. these guys atleast balance the team in tat both r all-rounders.
Posted by debasish4535 on (March 21 2010, 05:33 AM GMT)I think as long as nehera is not there Delhi's bowling is poor. Only Dirk nannes is the lone performer.David warner should open with viru, and Dilshan should sit out.Parnell should come in otherwise if they score 200 also it will be difficult to defend it .
Posted by razz86 on (March 21 2010, 04:46 AM GMT)deccan are riding the wave of the inform gilly, symmmo and gibbs. the big what if is when two of the three get out cheaply. the local players in the team are not as good as the ones in the other teams, deccan depends too much on the overseas players. they can be called true champions when they can get local players who can perform. they need to give a chance to all rounders like rahul sharma and other local players in the bench
Posted by nikkam on (March 21 2010, 04:35 AM GMT)Gambhirs absence has put a question mark about the anchor player in delhis long line of stroke makers. If they lose even the top 3 in a hurry, they find it difficult to accelerate. It is a question of either AB or DK playing this role by coming at 1 down. DC are not as strong when gilly fails, and their bowling except for vaas is not as strong and if Delhi restrict DC to 180, it will not be difficult to chase. Warner and Dilshan should provide the necessary impetus at the top order for DD to play to their full potential against a strong DC.