The Kochi Tuskers Kerala and the Deccan Chargers will both play the 32nd game of the Indian Premier League at Nehru Stadium, going into the game with a loss to their name.
It will be a battle between the two Sri Lankan captains, Mahela Jayawardene leading the Tuskers and Kumar Sangakkara being the captain of Deccan.
Kochi v Deccan odds:
Deccan Chargers (6/5 at
Coral) have disappointed thus far. In the six games that they have played, they have lost four and are at the bottom of the ten-team points table. This includes the loss to the Mumbai Indians in the previous game when, despite having the opposition at 70/4, the Deccan Chargers allowed them to get away with more than 170 in the 20 overs.
On the other hand, the Kochi Tuskers (4/5 at
Blue Square) came back well into the tournament before they went down in the previous game to Rajasthan. They had recorded three successive wins after the two early losses before the loss to the Royals.
Ground and Pitch:
The stadium at Kochi, the Nehru Stadium has shown to have been batting-friendly but one can be assured that as the tournament progresses, as one gets closer to May, the pitch would lose its sheen and make it difficult for the batsmen.
Player News:
Kochi missed Brendon McCullum (5/2 at
Boylesports) in the previous game due to an injury and will hope that he is fit to get back to his opening slot for this game. VVS Laxman (9/2 at
Coral) has shown that he is not averse to batting in this format of the game but for him to open the innings with Mahela Jayawardene (11/4 at
Coral) does take a bit out of the top-order.
If McCullum does come back for this game, Thisara Perera may have to miss out.
The Chargers have batted poorly in the competition so far. They have had Bharat Chipli (7/1 at
Boylesports) being able to take on the opposition bowlers on occasions but without any support at the other end. Kumar Sangakkara’s (11/4 at
Stan James) batting has continued to flounder in the IPL and to be able to get more wins under the side’s belt, he needs to lead by example.
Cameron White (5/1 at
SportingBet) has had an up and down start and probably needs to be allowed more time in the middle. Unfortunately, the side does not have too much of it; a loss here could end their chances very early in the tournament.
Prediction:
Kochi will be favourites given that this is their home game. Deccan will need an all-round improvement if they have to upset the Kochi applecart.
