The 44th game of the IPL will be played between the Delhi Daredevils and the Kings XI Punjab at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. The Daredevils did
lose their last game against the Knight Riders, but will know that the Punjab
side has been the one team which has won only two games and will look to make
the most of this game; win it and then try and rest some of their key players
before the knock-out games.
Punjab, on the other hand, is out of the competition, and so one can see them
try out newer players for the game, who will probably try to give it their all;
much more than what the current bunch is giving.
Click for Live Score Card of Delhi Daredevils Vs Mohali Punjab KingsDelhi's problem while chasing, as is every other side's problem is that the
side batting first can easily decide on pacing their innings according to the
pitches which do not change around too much. This means that if the sides are
aiming at 160 and ending up with 170-180, then the chase becomes a very very
difficult one, and makes life miserable for the team batting second despite
a good start; as was seen in both, the Delhi-Kolkata game and the Mumbai-Chennai
match.
The Daredevils will probably need to think through this and try and still bat
second and chase a good total down. This will allow them to get into the confidence
of doing so once they get into the semi-finals and need to do so against a superior
side.
Having said that, they should not worry too much, what with the likes of Sehwag,
Gambhir and Warner forming the top three and Paul Collingwood there in
the middle order as well. Tillakaratne Dilshan has been diagnosed with bladder
stones, which means that he may miss out the rest of the tournament, but then
you never know; an out of form player could all of a sudden pave way for the
dashing Sri Lankan opener.
From Punjab's point of view, they look to have had Yuvraj Singh firing
on a tad more than what he was previously. His return to form has been rather
slow and were he to have a replacement, the Punjab team could have easily got
him out. This also means that they will continue sticking with him in this game,
but one can be rest assured that if Shaun Marsh is fit, he will play
a part in the game. as far as Sreesanth is concerned, not only does he go for
a lot of runs, but he is also one of the most ill-behaved kid on the park.
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