Royal battle between Rajasthan and Hyderabad (Preview)

Hyderabad vs Rajasthan

2nd IPL match

Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad

Start Time: 16:00 (IST)

A good look at the squads of Rajasthan and Hyderabad provides a similarity; both teams have undergone a big change in terms of personnel thanks to the auction held in January. What is evident from the squads is that team managements of the both franchises have opted for players who fit into this format rather than big names.

Having said this, both teams have got the players who can change the complexion of any twenty-over game on their own, and, that is what makes these two teams dangerous in the tournament.

Saturday’s encounter-first in IPL 2011 for both sides- will see a tussle between two of the best cricket brains going around with Legendary Shane Warne leading the Rajasthan while Kumar Sangakkara will be his opposite number. Both are known for their ability to read the game well and make the clever moves to remain ahead of the game rather than letting the situation to get better of them.

On current form, it is the Sri Lankan batting star who holds all the aces for he plays competitive cricket throughout the year, while spin wizard was last seen in action in IPL 2010 and has played any cricket since. Can Warne, with his age and lack of cricket, be able to instill some zip to his leg spin remains to be seen, but Rajasthan fans can be rest assured is that Warne, the tactician, will have a big say in progress of the team in the tournament.

While money has been wisely spent on international recruits by both franchises, young local players have been blooded into both sides who will be desperate to perform at a big stage and rub shoulders with the likes of Sangakkara, Dale Steyn, Warne and Ross Taylor.

Top priority for the both teams should be to identify their best playing eleven as soon as possible and Saturday gives the teams an ideal opportunity to do that. What would made Saturday’s battle a fascinating one is the fact two of the world’s fastest bowlers-Dale Steyn and Shaun Tait-will be in action and with both having to bowl only four overs in the match, fast men bowling with a full throttle is expected.

Rajasthan will be missing the services of their champion all-rounder Shane Watson, who has been phenomenal in all three seasons and was retained by the franchise, for the first two weeks as newly appointed Australian vice-captain will be having internationals commitments. Same will be case with big hitting Cameron White and will be joining the squad only after Bangladesh tour of Australia is concluded.

On paper it is the home team Hyderabad that looks a more balanced than Rajasthan and what would work in their favour is local crowd cheering for them.

With temperature on a rise in South India, pitch in Hyderabad is going to be dry favouring spinners and both sides have plenty of them to make most of the conditions.

HYDERABAD

Champions in 2009, Hyderabad boasts of a squad that has class and depth in batting lineup, some quality spinners and pacers in bowling department and an able think tank that comprises skipper Sangakkara and Darren Lehman in their ranks.

If team has to go deep into the tournament, big players need to step up to the big stage and youngsters should be given a confidence to express themselves in the middle.

As per IPL guidelines, only four international imports can be drafted into the playing and, with Sangakkara and Steyn walking straight away into the playing eleven, team management will have to decide on others as per the requirements of the side.

Players who can make impact…

Dale Steyn…Arguably the best fast bowler going around in the world…He can decimate any bowling lineup in the world on his day and what would make him more lethal is lack of experience in local Indian players to face kind of pace Steyn has ...The South African will be in no mood to let batsmen overpower him.

Shikhar Dhawan…immensely gifted this stylish Delhi left hander has already played with two franchise-Delhi and Mumbai- and would be keen to enhance his reputation as one of the better batting talents going around in the country…His off-side play, as most of the left handers do, has impressed one and all..Only thing he needs to guard against is him losing his wicket to some reckless shots.

SQUAD

Akash Bhandari, Amit Mishra, Anand Rajan, Ankit Sharma, Ashish Reddy, Bharat Chipli, Cameron White, Chris Lynn, Dale Steyn, Daniel Christian, DR Teja, Harmeet Singh, Ishan Malhotra, Ishank Jaggi, Ishant Sharma, Jaydev Shah, JP Duminy, Juan Theron, K Sangakkara (c)(wk), Kedar Devdhar, Manpreet Gony, Michael Lumb, Pragyan Ojha, Shikhar Dhawan, Sunny Sohal

RAJASTHAN

Shane Warne led Rajasthan might look altogether as different side when Shane Watson joins the squad but that doesn’t mean it lacks depth.

There is lots of experience in both the departments and with inspirational Warne at the helm of affairs only good things can be expected from the team as they showed in the inaugural season. From nowhere side claimed the maiden title to surprise even their ardent fans.

Rahul Dravid’s inclusion in the squad should only bring calm and stability to the proceedings and his presence will be a good learning for the youngsters.

Players who can make impact…

Stuart Binny…Son of a former Indian world cup winning all-rounder Roger Binny, Stuart can bat, bowl, catch and can lift the side with his 100% commitment on the field..He brings that x-factor to the squad and will be one who can have a big impact in the game.

Ross Taylor… When on song linchpin of Kiwi batting line-up can derail best in the business as was evident in his match winning against potent Pakistan bowling unit of Pakistan.Not only can he hit a long ball but can soak the pressure when needed. He will be the one batsman team can heavily rely upon for the runs.

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