What
The Rajasthan Royals, fresh from a two much-needed wins, take on the blazing Deccan Chargers
When
March 26, Friday, 8 pm
Where
Sardar Vallabhai Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad. This is a pitch which slows down massively after the first innings, and it won’t be surprising to see the ball coming on to the bat with great difficulty or not coming on at all.
The Protagonists
The Rajasthan Royals have put their mini-slump behind them with two victories over the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Kings XI Punjab. Their batsmen are finding their form, and their bowlers are also hitting purple patches. Warne will be hoping that Faiz Fazal continues his fine run of form and is hoping to make it three wins in a row and get into the top three once again. A certain Dimitri Mascarenhas and Graeme Smith will be missed, but the team has shown they can cope in their absence.
The Deccan Chargers look like an unstoppable lot themselves, having won three of their last four games. Chamind Vaas is second in line for the Purple Cap and has played fewer games compared to his fellow countryman Muralidaran, and will be looking to reclaim his position as leading wicket-taker. Gibbs, Gilchrist and Symonds are performing quite well and will look to continue their winning ways in Ahmedabad.
What next?
The Rajasthan Royals, having won the first edition of the tournament two years ago, would want to replicate their success this year as well. They may not have the same crop of bowlers, but Warne is a sly customer. They would see this match as a stepping stone to guarantee themselves a place in the top four and book a semi-final birth. The dark horses, as they call themselves, would look to outshine their opponents once more.
The Deccan Chargers are third on the table, having played two games less than the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Mumbai Indians. A comprehensive victory for them here would surely oust the Mumbai Indians from the top on the virtue of net run-rate and put the Deccan Chargers in prime position.
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