Pune Warriors, the only unbeaten team, takes on Delhi Daredevils, which is at the bottom of the table, here on Sunday.
Virender Sehwag would hope for fortunes to swing his team's way in what has to be regarded as a crucial third match for the Daredevils. For a start he himself can play a meaningful role with left-handed David Warner.
Sehwag has not lasted for more than 18 balls in two matches; but he's not the sort of batsman who is likely to block and wait for wayward deliveries from Alfonso Thomas and Wayne Parnell, the two Warriors' bowlers who have been able to outwit batsmen in the two previous matches.
After being routed by Mumbai Indians (shot out for a paltry 95 because of exceptional bowling spell by Lasith Malinga), Australian Warner and Venugopala Rao showed powers of concentration and signs of running into form at Jaipur.
On the face of it Daredevils must be looking to bring reliability to its middle order. Sehwag may be compelled to utilise Irfan Pathan's batting ability promoting the left-hander a notch or two from the No. 7 slot. Perhaps the time is also upon Daredevils to bring in fast bowler Varun Aaron and look for wickets in the first six overs. The Daredevils travels with a large contingent of 24 players. So Sehwag has options to choose from.
Warriors has enjoyed a three-day break after the win against Tuskers and Yuvraj collected the luxurious and sleek Audi Q5 from Ravi Shastri.
The left-hander has managed to utilise his resources well so far; but he's yet to make a big impact.
The likes of Robin Uthappa, Jesse Ryder, Mithun Manhas, Mohnish Mishra have done their bit with the bat. Graeme Smith's fitness status is not known following an injury he suffered while colliding with leg-spinner Rahul Sharma while trying to convert a catch against Tuskers.
Manish Pandey, serving a four-match ban, will have to wait until the match against Mumbai Indians next Friday, but Yuvraj and the Warriors think-tank, that includes coach Geoff Marsh, may effect changes in order to ascertain the utility value of the Indian first class players in the squad.
