Rajasthan look to continue winning momentum (Preview)

With most of the franchises not retaining the players that featured for them in first three seasons and team composition giving altogether a different look after the auction earlier this year, some cricket pundits had raised an apprehension that teams might have difficulties in finding the best combination in early stages of this season.

Delhi skipper Virendar Sehwag conceded the same after being blown away Sachin Tendulkar led Mumbai saying that it will take time for his players, most of whom are playing first time for Delhi, to settle down as a team. Sehwag has a job on hands to lift his revamped side after being rattled by Lasith Malinga’s lethal spell.

Not only Sehwag needs to fire with the bat and mentor the batting line-up which is relatively inexperienced and doesn’t boast of big names. Team management needs to instill belief and confidence among the batsmen boosting them to perform after virtually giving a no show kind of a display.

Having said this, team has some dynamic players in the side in both departments  to win the games on their own and they need to show when they take on charged up Rajasthan Royals at latter’s home ground.

Rajasthan, led by spin wizard Shane Warne, seem to be having no such problems as was evident they played in their first game against Hyderabad which they won after pacing their chase in a disciplined fashion. Every player, it appeared, knew what their role in the team was. Shane pulled rabbit out of hat, as he does on most occasions, by sending Johan Botha, better known for bowling skills, to number three and Botha paid back by seeing his side across the line.

Warne knows how to get best out of players even from those with limited abilities and that is what makes him one of the shrewdest captains of the IPL. His own leg spin, even at this age, had a zip and class to trouble batsmen. This augurs well for Rajasthan who again haven’t opted for players with big reputation but those who can give their best on the field.

On captaincy front, Shane Warne has an edge over Sehwag but if Sehwag fires with bat then Delhi will have a chance to surprise favorites Rajasthan.

When we talk of t-20 cricket, momentum is the buzz word Shane Warne will be reminding that to his team mates and would like to continue to carry on where they left on Saturday. Sehwag and company would like to have a win under their belt in order to clam the early nerves.

Rajasthan

Openers are a mixture of talent and experience with Rahul Dravid partnering young Shekhar Dhawan and complement each other well. a good start. However, it would be middle order led by Kiwi Ross Taylor that team will rely upon to give them a big score. There are some terrific hitters in the late middle order none better than big Jacob Oram for who no ground is big as he can clear the ropes with utmost ease.

Bowling department has searing pace of Shaun Tait, young talent in Siddharth Trivedi and guile of Warne himself while Oram and young bowlers are there to play a backup role.

Players who can make impact…

Shane Warne…Best leg spinner to have played the game ever. Even at this age he continues to bamboozle batsmen. He started this season’s IPL with a nice four over bowling spell taking too wickets and it appeared ball was coming off his hand nicely. With Delhi having inexperienced middle order, Warne might have a big say in tomorrow’s match.

Rahul Dravid…When t-20 cricket started, people gave no chance to likes of Dravid saying their batting style doesn’t suit to the slam bang format. Dravid and company have proved them wrong by emerging successful in this format as well. They have proved that their significance can’t be overruled in the shortest version of the game.

SQUAD

Aakash Chopra, Abhishek Raut, Aditya Dole, Ajinkya Rahane, Amit Paunikar, Amit Singh, Ankeet Chavan, Ashok Menaria,Deepak Chahar, Dinesh Salunkhe, Dishant Yagnik, Faiz Fazal, Johan Botha, Nayan Doshi, Pankaj Singh, Pinal Shah, Rahul Dravid, Ross Taylor, Samad Fallah, Shane Warne (c), Shane Watson, Shaun Tait, Siddharth Trivedi, Stuart Binny, Sumit Narwal,Swapnil Asnodkar.

Delhi

Delhi’s openers are one of the most explosive pairs in the IPL with Sehwag and David Warner capable of tearing any bowling apart in the tournament. But there isn’t much experience after two of them as middle is packed with some fine talent not experienced one to send shivers among the opposite ranks.

This puts extra pressure on Sehwag and his partner and if they fail to deliver opposite teams would fancy their chances against Delhi.

Bowling department looks potent enough to challenge best in the business having Morne Morkel and comeback man Irfan Pathan in the ranks. They will have a potent support in the shape two young Indian fast bowlers Ashok Dinda and Umesh Yadav.

 There is Achilles Heel though as team lacks in a quality spinner which Sehwag has already admitted.

Players who can make impact…

Aaron Finch….lot has been said of this talented right handed batsman from Australia but failed to deliver in the first match. He is on e of the t-20 stars back home and has all ingredients to be player of some reputation. He can also be handy with the ball. He needs to fire to give some support to Sehwag and company.

Ashok Dinda…This right arm fast medium bowler impressed one and all while playing first three seasons for his home team Kolkata. He is got the pace to trouble the batsmen but what makes him special is the energy he gives on the field.

SQUAD

Aaron Finch, Aavishkar Salvi , Ajit Agarkar , Ajit Chandila , Andrew McDonald , Ashok Dinda , Colin Ingram, David Warner,Irfan Pathan, James Hopes, Matthew Wade (wk), Morne Morkel, Naman Ojha (wk), Prashant Naik, Rajesh Pawar, Robert Frylinck,Robin Bist, Roelof van der Merwe, Shahbaz Nadeem , Sridharan Sriram , Tejashwi Yadav, Travis Birt, Umesh Yadav, Unmukt Chand, Varun Aaron, Venugopal Rao, Vikas Mishra, Virender Sehwag (c), Vivek Yadav,Yogesh Nagar.