Deccan Chargers did the hard work in the initial phase, now the task ahead for captain Adam Gilchrist and coach Darren Lehmann is to keep up the momentum.
Rajasthan Royals have begun the climb up the mountain after sliding down in DLF IPL 2010, so each match and each win is a toehold for captain and driving force Shane Warne to regroup into a confident unit.
RR's next game against DC in front of home supporters, coming on the heels of a convincing away victory against Kings XI, is the perfect opportunity to take a big step forward and build on the Mohali mood.
The players appear to know what the skipper expects from them, in contrast to the drift in earlier games when collective effort was missing.
Overdue
A burst of boundaries is overdue from Yusuf Pathan, chipping in with wickets in previous two games. The performance anxiety seen previously is giving way to improved self-esteem via the bowling success. Captain Warne's faith in his batting ability is enough to spur the RR destroyer into action.
DC's Rohit Sharma is another player yet to justify the match-winner tag in the third edition, in keeping with batting roles in the first two events.
Sharma has the timing, shot and a feel for gaps in the field that places him right up there with Jacques Kallis in the approach to run-making and can play out overs in the manner Chris Gayle succeeded for KKR this time.
In the mood
Gilchrist rates him highly, so does teammate Andrew Symonds. The Indian T20 international got into mood with a quickfire 45 against Delhi Daredevils and remains a prized wicket.
He is also on Warne's hit list, though DC is not dependant on individual performances and anyone from among Gilchrist, Herchelle Gibbs, Andrew Symonds and Chaminda Vaas has fired for the defending champion so far.
The arrival of West Indians Kemar Roach and Dwayne Smith is additional firepower at Lehmann's command. The DC coach confirmed V.V.S. Laxman's availability for Friday's tie against RR.
