Armed with renewed hope and improved team spirit, Kings XI Punjab has made it to this hilly destination aiming to finish its home-run with a flourish.
This picturesque venue, Kings XI's ‘home' away from home, is set to host three games in the space of six days. Kings XI needs to win them to make the play-offs.
After back-to-back victories over Mumbai Indians and Kochi Tuskers, Kings XI starts as an obvious favourite against Delhi Daredevils on Sunday.
The last time the teams met, at the Ferozeshah Kotla, Daredevils finished 29 runs ahead in a match that produced 434 runs — the highest so far in IPL-IV.
Much has changed since that tall-scoring entertainer. Kings XI has found its way back into contention. It is currently sixth in the standings. Importantly, Kings XI can draw plenty of confidence from the fact that three of its five victories have come against teams ahead of it — Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and of course, the mighty Mumbai Indians.
Confident
After embarrassing Sachin Tendulkar's men by a whopping 76 runs and then chasing down a challenging score against Tuskers on Friday, Kings XI is a supremely confident team at the moment.
Apart from the fact that skipper Adam Gilchrist, due for a big one, Paul Valthaty, in fine touch, and Shaun Marsh, playing the role of an innings-builder to perfection, the team now has Dinesh Karthik showing signs of contributing effectively.
Daredevils' new skipper James Hopes, too, has the ability to adopt the wait-and-wallop approach. These are tough times for the team, playing without much at stake, including pride. To be out of contention for a place in the play-offs, with still some matches in hand, can be very difficult for the players. Lack of motivation does become a major factor in such a situation and Daredevils will have to deal with it.
Need to be motivated
From the moment Daredevils opened its campaign and was bowled out for a sub-100 total against Mumbai Indians at home, there have been only a couple of moments of joy for the team. If Daredevils managed a few highs, it was only due to its batsmen, particularly Virender Sehwag.
Now that Sehwag is done with the competition and a new captain is in place, it will take a lot from the players to be inspired to win again.
The explosive David Warner is yet to fire the way he is capable of. Naman Ojha and Venugopala Rao have looked good without playing match-winning knocks. Hopes did score a half-century but overall, the batting looks weak.
‘Generous' bowlers
The less said the better about Daredevils' bowling. From Ashok Dinda to Irfan Pathan to Ajit Agarkar, the team has them all. Whether bowling upfront or at the death, they have been generous.
The latest addition, Andrew McDonald, too, was taken to the cleaners by CSK. Going by the results of the two matches played here last season, Sunday's encounter promises a high-scoring fare. With both teams lacking adequate bowling resources, though Kings XI has a better variety, it could well be a batsmen's match.
Compared to Daredevils, Kings XI has much to play for. A victory will not only keep it in the hunt for the next stage of the competition but also give the host the sweet taste of revenge.
