Chennai will host the Delhi Daredevils in the 50th game of the tournament, but what is also, more importantly, the 13th match for both the sides. Each team plays 14 games, and with both sides so closely placed in the points table, the side losing the game is bound to face the music.
The mood in the camps could not be more contrast, despite no difference in the points table. Chennai Super Kings (20/21 at Boylesports) are coming into the game with, what can be described as a convincing drubbing of Kolkata Knight Riders, while Delhi (1/1 at Ladbrokes) have lost two successive games and are under pressure to win this match.
Gautam Gambhir’s (4/1 at Bet365 to top-score for Delhi) tirade against the Delhi pitches and his statement on how he will prefer playing the away games did not get the desired attention, but already Delhi have lost one game in Mumbai after that. Another loss at an away venue could make it difficult for the unusually angry captain, and in order to avoid that, he will need his top-order to fire. Virender Sehwag (3/1 at Sky Bet to top-score for his side) has, on numerous occasions proved that T20 is not amongst his favourite formats of the game, and it could require the side to get in Tillakaratne Dilshan (9/2 at Stan James) in place of David Warner (3/1 at Ladbrokes, both to top-score for Delhi).
Chennai, on the other hand, look to be peaking at the right time. Murali Vijay’s (3/1 at Blue Square to top-score for the Super Kings) form with the bat has been exemplary, while Suresh Raina (7/2 at Boylesports to top-score for his side) seems to be chipping in whenever it is required. While MS Dhoni (5/1 at Blue Square to top-score for Chennai) hasn’t had too many opportunities to bat in the top three or four, the main worry for the Super Kings could be Mathew Hayden’s (3/1 at Boylesport) lack of runs. This is simply because, expecting the rest of the batting to act as a cover for the burly Queenslander is simply not tenable, and I will not be surprised if Hayden gets the sack.
And if Hayden does go out, he could be replaced by another Australian, Michael Hussey (7/1 at Ladbrokes to be the best batsman for his side), who hasn’t had anything to do in the IPL this season and could be the man to watch out for.
Tips:
Favourites: Chennai Super Kings (20/21 at Boylesports)
Top Chennai batsman: MS Dhoni (5/1 at Blue Square)
Top Delhi batsman: Virender Sehwag (3/1 at Sky Bet)