Hyderabad prepares for another exciting contest

After the disappointment at the Eden Gardens a couple of days ago, the Deccan Chargers will today turn out at home in their yellow and black outfits to take on the Delhi Daredevils in match seven of the DLF Indian Premier League (IPL).

Having lost to the Knight Riders in their opening game of the tournament, despite putting up a brave show, the Deccan Chargers will be keen to open their account. Already boosted by the inclusion of ‘boom-boom’ Afridi, Hyderabad will want to put one across the Daredevils from Delhi. Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds and Shahid Afridi would form a trio any team will want to have in its ranks in this format of the game. Afridi has been quoted as saying he would target to surpass Brendon McCullum’s 158*, and if that happens today, it’s going to rain fours and sixes at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

The inclusion of Afridi could mean one of the other overseas players, who played in the Deccan Chargers’ first game, might have to miss out – thanks to the four-overseas players cap. Chaminda Vaas was fantastic with the ball, while the slow-medium pacers in Styris and Bangar were pretty effective on a dustbowl at the Eden Gardens. But Laxman might consider the inclusion of local boy D Kalyankrishna as a replacement for Scott Styris.

Afridi’s batting skills notwithstanding, he’s got a fabulous record with the ball as well; in 20 Twenty20 matches so far, he has picked up 26 wickets at a staggering average of 18.34.

The Daredevils look in good shape after the win in their opening fixture. The bowling will certainly be bolstered by the inclusion of Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif, who looks certain to make the starting XI in place of Brett Geeves, who had a poor outing against the Rajasthan Royals the other day. With the metronomic Glenn McGrath sharing the new ball, the Deccan Chargers might find runs hard to come by, at least when the McGrath-Asif duo is at work.

The batting looks very capable – while Sehwag is the only name that can match up to the Deccan Chargers’ big-hitting trio, the Daredevils have a very young looking middle-order, capable of delivering the goods when called upon.

With all the ingredients for the making of a cracking contest, this is one game you will not want to miss.

Duels to look forward to:

Adam Gilchrist Vs. Glenn McGrath

Andrew Symonds Vs. Glenn McGrath

Shahid Afridi Vs. Mohammad Asif

Virender Sehwag Vs. Chaminda Vaas.

Tags :DECCAN CHARGERS, Indian Premier League, IPL, Ipl News