Rajasthan Royals vs. Deccan Chargers, De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley - 11th May, 2009 SET MAX (8:00 PM IST)

- 14:30 GMT

As the tournament has progressed there have been additions and subtractions in the team combo. Most importantly the Rajasthan Royals (RR) squad has been strengthened with the inclusion of Shane Harwood, Lee Carseldine and Naman Ojha. Deccan Chargers (DC), after an explosive start to their campaign have lost a few matches off late and are gunning to get back to their winning ways. DC too have strengthened their already famed batting line-up with the inclusion of Andrew Symonds.

Both teams have their fair share of some of the game's greatest cricketers. While RR boasts of Shane Warne and Graeme Smith and new icons in the making Ravindra Jadeja and Yusuf Pathan, DC has the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Hershelle Gibbs and RP Singh in its ranks. It already makes for an interesting contest with Warne pitted against Gilchrist who kept stumps for many years for Warne. Smith and Gibbs, team mates and friends, will battle against each other.

The batting of both teams follows different paths. While DC starts of with the explosive pair of Gilchrist and Gibbs, RR prefers the more calculated approach in Smith and Ojha. The middle order though is somewhat similar for both sides with innings builders and shot makers a plenty. There isn't much to choose between both the batting attacks on either side which is capable of destroying any bowling attack on its day. Warne had once commented that Yusuf and Symonds were two of the biggest hitters he had played with and to see them play against each other will be a treat for the fans.

On the bowling front, RR and DC are well matched with both teams having enough depth to allow their captains to formulate strategies on the fly. It is this flexibility that has allowed Warne to win matches. The bowling has been of the highest standards from both sides though DC seemed to have the advantage with RP Singh, their strike bowler, being the highest wicket taker in the tournament.

The team batting first at De Beers does have an advantage but as we have seen before chasing is not so difficult on the ground either. An array of explosive batsmen on either side provides for an enthralling and high scoring contest.

RR and DC are currently on 3rd and 4th positions in the points table respectively. A victory for either side will ensure they strengthen their position in the top 4. It is essential for RR to win this game and the next three to cement their place and stamp their authority as the defending champions.

Watch out: Graeme Smith and Hershelle Gibbs will try their level best to better one another in the match. RP Singh and Amit Singh will be the ones to watch out for - whichever bowler strikes early will give his team the upper hand in the match. Another explosive duel would be between Yusuf Pathan and Andrew Symonds - both batsmen are in good form and their contribution will go a long way in ensuring a victory for their respective teams.

RR Squad: Shane Warne, Robert Quiney, Abhishek Raut, Morne Morkel, Paul Valthaty, Kamran Khan, Niraj Patel, Mahesh Rawat, Shane Harwood, Siddharth Trivedi, Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Munaf patel, Graeme Smith, Tyron Henderson.

Halla Bol!!!

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