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.

Delhi'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.

Tag :- Delhi Daredevils   Kings XI Punjab   Paul Collingwood   Shaun Marsh   Yuvraj Singh