The Deccan Chargers will host the Rajasthan Royals in the 36th match of the IPL at Jantha in Nagpur. The Royals are currently on eight points from nine games, whereas the Chargers have six from eight. A win here for the Deccan side will see them tie with Rajasthan, Kolkata and Chennai on eight points each!

The two sides had earlier met at Ahmedabad and the Royals had easily beaten the Chargers by chasing down the target in less than 16 overs. And with the return of Shane Watson, one would have thought that will go into the game as favourites. However, the bookies offer 9/10 (Totesport) for a Chargers’ win, as compared to 1/1 at Coral, if the Royals win their fifth game of the tournament.

Watson’s (7/2 at Ladbrokes to top-score for the Royals) return is a huge plus as he adds the balance to the side with his batting and bowling. As was seen with his smashing knock in the game against the Chennai Super Kings, he can not only turn the games around with his batting but also reduce the pressure on the others in the middle order like Yusuf Pathan (9/2 at Bet Fred) and Adam Voges (13/2 at Bet365, both to be the best batsmen for the Royals).

However, given the kind of form Naman Ojha (4/1 at Blue Square to be the best batsman for Rajasthan) is in, one cannot discount him from playing another of the knocks that he played against Chennai; an unbeaten 94. One can expect him to open the innings with Watson, to allow both the batsmen more time at the crease.

The Chargers know that they have to win this game to stay in the competition. And for that to happen, they not only need their bowling to come out all guns blazing, but also for Adam Gilchrist (3/1 at Paddy Power to top-score for the Chargers) to play an innings of the sort that he had played in the second edition’s semi-finals. Of course, if he has recovered enough from his injury the other night. He also needs his other players, Herschelle Gibbs (7/2 at Bet365) and Andrew Symonds (9/2 at Coral, both to be the best batsman for Chargers) to be able to take a bit of a pressure off him. If the captain really wants to gamble, he could look at playing Dwayne Smith (12/1 at Ladbrokes to top-score for his side) in place of Ryan Harris.

But most importantly, the difference in the batting of the Chargers as compared to the rest of the sides is their Indian batsmen have yet to get going. It will be left to Rohit Sharma (5/1 at Boylesports to top-score for the Chargers) and Venugopal Rao to come out with the goods.

Tips:
Favourites: Deccan Chargers (10/11 at Totesport)
Top Deccan batsman: Rohit Sharma (5/1 at Boylesports)
Top Rajasthan batsman: Naman Ojha (4/1 at Blue Square)