26th March 2010 - TOI : While RCB and Mumbai Indians have been blazing a trail with their performances, another team has also been going about its business in a quiet, unobtrusive manner. The Deccan Chargers really seem to have hit upon a winning formula that gives them an incredible record if you look at their performance over their last 15 games, starting late in IPL-II and continuing into IPLIII. Adam Gilchrist’s men would start as overwhelming favourites against Shane Warne’s resurgent Royals.
Full credit to Rajasthan for having turned the corner with two good wins. I thought Kings XI Punjab would have the edge after their incredible win over Chennai, but even that has not instilled any momentum or confidence in the side. The Royals on the other hand seem to have discovered some batting form, especially with the induction of Adam Voges. His good form has also helped Shane by making Yusuf Pathan play with a sense of freedom. In the first few games it was as though the weight of the entire team was on Yusuf, and he was under pressure in every game. Voges is a quiet performer even in Australian cricket, but he is one of those players whom you would disregard at your own peril.
On the other hand, there is nothing quiet about the batting line-up that the Deccan Chargers boast of. Adam, Andrew Symonds, Herschelle Gibbs and Rohit Sharma make for a powerful batting line-up, and the good news is that their bowling too is looking great. It’s amazing to see how well Chaminda Vaas is bowling, especially since he was looking a little flat when he last turned out for Sri Lanka. The adrenalin is flowing at the thought of competing in the IPL, and along with Symonds, RP Singh and Ojha, Deccan now have a decent bowling line-up.
The players across all teams will now be looking to really do well this season with the mega-auction slated for later in the year. Many incredible comebacks and stirring debuts are being witnessed in this edition, and why not? The kitty for each team is now $ 7 million and all the players want to get a good pay packet for themselves.
Coming back to Friday’s game, the mini-contest would be the one between Adam and Shane. Neither would like to lose that face-off, and it might even decide the fate of the match. Knowing Shane’s taste for the big stage and some drama, I would not be surprised to see him opening the bowling to take on his erstwhile teammate. It’s contests like these that make the IPL that much more special.
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