DC v/s MI: Mission Improbable for the Chargers
On match-day 6 of the IPL, the Deccan Chargers go into their second game against the Mumbai Indians having suffered a humiliating 74-run loss at home to defending champions CSK in their first game, outclassed and outplayed – in all aspects by the Chennai side. The team was found lacking in all departments and it is difficult to draw any positives from such a performance. Their skipper Sangakkara, just having arrived from national duty, already has to face the daunting task of reviving his players from their embarrassing start and carrying the team ahead.
With a win and a loss in the opening two games, Mumbai Indians have had an interesting start to this IPL. After a comfortable win in a game which was expected to be a close affair, they somehow lost a game which – going by the relative strengths of the sides on paper – should have been an easy victory. Having lost a game they were the favorites to win, the Mumbai team travels to Vishakapatnam, where they are clear favorites to win against a notably weaker Deccan Chargers side. Will they live up to their expectation or will the pressure of the ‘favorites’ tag get to them once again?
Head- to- Head:
The two teams have locked horns with each other eight times over the last four seasons, from which both the teams managed four wins each. In their last encounter on May 14, 2011, DC managed a close 10-run win.
Played 8: DC – 4, MI – 4
Key Players:
Deccan chargers:
1. Dale Steyn
He was perhaps the only DC player who looked threatening in the first game against CSK. Beating the batsmen on several occasions, he managed to pick up the crucial wicket of Dhoni as well. The team will look to him to provide the crucial early wickets against MI tonight, if DC are to restrict them to a low total and have a chance to win the game.
2. Kumar Sangakkara
After a forgettable batting display in the first game, the Chargers’ batting line-up needs all the help it can get. The arrival of the Sri Lankan batsman, then, is sure to be eagerly awaited by the fans of the Hyderabad team to add depth to a batting line-up which looked totally out of sorts against Chennai. A capable attacking batsman who, on his day can swing the game in his favor, he will be looking to start this IPL on a winning note.
3. Cameron White
The Australian, Cameron White who was handed the captaincy against Chennai with the usual skipper K. Sangakkara not available for the game, will most likely be relieved of the responsibility of the arm-band. He will be looked upon to strengthen the batting line-up which otherwise seems lacking in depth. He had a good start against Chennai, but could not convert it into a big score.
Mumbai Indians:
1. Lasith Malinga
One of the contests of the game would be Dale Steyn vs L. Malinga. The purple cap winner last season can be an important factor in tonight’s game. It would be interesting to see his Sri Lankan team-mate Sangakkara against him, a contest that may determine the outcome of this game. The Chargers will have to find a way to stop him running through their batting line-up if they are to entertain any thought of winning the game.
2. Pragyan Ojha
The former Deccan Chargers’ player who joined MI before the start of this season has had a good start with the Mumbai Indians. He will be looking to extend that as he faces his former team for the first time after the transfer. Ojha would be handed the responsibility of restricting DC in the middle overs, a team whose batsmen he knows too well.
3. Richard Levi
A brilliant 35-ball half century against CSK, followed by a disappointing duck against Pune, in the two games we have seen, the team has won when the South African has played well and suffered when he didn’t perform. The team depends on him to get them off to a flying start, and if the Chargers do not send him back to the pavilion early, the game might be out of their hands before they know it.
Predicted Result:
Looking at the sides on paper, the Mumbai Indians should manage an easy victory over the Chargers.