It is a huge challenge for Delhi Daredevils; and much bigger for Gautam Gambhir. He plays a crucial match on home ground.
The team must win to stay in the tournament and Gambhir, a self-confessed critic of the playing conditions at the Ferozeshah Kotla, would need to dig deep into his talent reservoir to come up with an inspiring show.
This will be the final encounter at this venue in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
Deccan Chargers (DC) too must win to stay in the hunt. That it has managed to keep itself in the loop speaks for the improved performances of the team in the latter stage of the tournament.
The team has got its basics right and the combination has proved that the responsibility has been nicely shared. No individual is under any stress to perform a superman-like role. No wonder the team has forced its way to the fourth spot ahead of this contest. Delhi Daredevils (DD) is a spot higher.
Major worry
“The major worry for DD has been inconsistency. Lack of thrust at the top”, says Gambhir. He has given the key batsmen a strong message that they need to fire.
After four victories in a row, DD slipped in the return matches against Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians before pulling off a win against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), thanks to Gambhir and Mithun Manhas playing some sensible cricket.
Manhas remained an unsung performer in that low-scoring match at Chennai.
In the company of Gambhir, the stylish Manhas displayed judicious shot selection even as Gambhir remained adventurous at the other end.
The match-winning partnership gave Delhi Daredevils the oxygen it needed to survive the pressure that CSK had created by slicing through the top order.
DC has produced a remarkable comeback. After five defeats in a row, the team concentrated on a collective effort with T. Suman, Rohit Sharma and Andrew Symonds shining in difficult situations.
Among the bowlers, Pragyan Ojha, Ryan Harris and Harmeet Singh have earned respect. Four wins in the last four matches has transformed DC, the defending champion, into a potentially dangerous team.
The two camps have had their share of worries too. Virender Sehwag and Adam Gilchrist have failed to inspire. Gilchrist has just one half century in 13 innings and Sehwag three in 13, far below their potential.
The onus on them would indeed be huge but much would depend on the playing surface. Gambhir has openly slammed the “slow” pitches at the Kotla.
Sehwag and Gilchrist like the ball to come on nicely. In their ability to adapt lies their respective team's chance of making it to the semi-finals.
