The return game between Delhi and Kochi will now be played at the Feroz Shah Kotla, a home ground for the Daredevils.
This is the 41st game of the Indian Premier League and sees two teams placed closely in the group face-off for the second time in three days.
Delhi v Kochi odds:
Kochi (7/5 at
Bwin) had hosted the Delhi Daredevils in a game at the Nehru Stadium on Friday, a game in which the Daredevils had come out unscathed. This means that both the sides have now played seven games and won three of them – essentially translating into a loss almost knocking the side out of the tournament. Delhi (8/11 at
Stan James) will be favourites at this stage with their captain Virender Sehwag having tasted blood with his batting.
Ground and Pitch:
The game will be played at the Feroz Shah Kotla which usually dishes out slow and low pitches. However, the newly unveiled track had seen a lot of runs scored in the first couple of games before the third game in five days brought about its true nature – difficult to score off. Now, with its share of four days without a game, one senses that batting could be little less difficult.
Player News:
The Daredevils did win their previous game but it was a surprise to see them go into the game with the omission of James Hopes (6/1 at
Coral). Hopes had shown the bottle that the side needed in the previous games, to go with his ability to bat at the number three and bowling the quota of four overs.
His replacement Travis Birt (13/2 at
Boylesports) displayed enough to allow him another game, but the onus will continue to lie on the opening pair. Virender Sehwag (11/4 at
Boylesports) played one of the best innings one would see on a pitch like what they had at Kochi and if he can get going with his partner Dave Warner (10/3 at
Boylesports), things will look difficult for the opponents.
The Kochi Tuskers seem to have lost that batting touch which had helped them beat both, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Brendon McCullum’s (10/3 at
Boylesports) return from injury has been less than spectacular and the middle order is getting exposed due to the early wickets. The experiment with Michael Klinger (9/2 at
Blue Square) did not work against Delhi but it is always good to try it out a couple of times. However, it will be interesting to see how the side decides on their four foreign players if the captain decides to play Muthiah Muralihatharan in the playing eleven.
With Mahela Jayawardene (10/3 at
Boylesports) highly due for a big one now, time could fast be running out him – literally as well, given that he leaves the side early to fulfil his international commitments.
Prediction:
Difficult to call but Delhi will have the home advantage to go with the form for their skipper Sehwag.
