IPL 6: Match 13 - PWI vs RR - Pune Warriors Preview

The latest season of the IPL has got off on a bad note for the Warriors, to say the least, with them not being able to chase down a meagre 122 against the Sunrisers and being unable to score even a 100 runs against the Kings XI Punjab, losing by six wickets. Not the way they would have hoped it would go.

The only good news for them coming into the match is that Yuvraj Singh has recovered from the strain that kept him out of the second match. They seem like the Deccan Chargers did in the first season – a star-studded side unable to prove their worth. With batsmen like Marlon Samuels, Yuvraj Singh, Ross Taylor, captain Angelo Mathews, and bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashok Dinda and Ajantha Mendis, you’ve got to say that they have the power to shake the earth, but have been unable to create even the faintest of tremors.

Their batting department needs to step it up in the upcoming match, as that was what lost them both matches. Their seemingly daunting middle order needs to take up some responsibility, and Manish Pandey needs to get his act together or face the axe. Robin Uthapa has been their highest scorer with 43 runs and needs support if he and they are to do well.

When it comes to the bowling, Pune doesn’t have the big names like Sunil Narine, though the likes of Dinda, Buvneshwar Kumar, Rahul Sharma and Mathews need to come through. They did well to restrict Hyderabad to only 126, but were not able to make the 99 look at all competitive (you can’t blame them, all I’m saying is they could have done better). With Wayne Parnell likely to return to the team after being granted bail, their bowling attack may just find the venom it needs. For the immediate future, in though, they need to get their act together.

Conditions

The weather is likely to be in the low 30’s throughout the evening, providing for warm playing conditions, though there may be some relief for the players in the form of a gentle breeze. The pitch should support batsmen if they are willing to wait it out a little before exploding, as shown by Kings XI batsmen.

Head to Head

The head to head goes 3-0 in favour of the Royals, and given their giant killing of KKR and Delhi, and Pune’s want to show exactly how the cookie crumbles, it looks like it’s going to be 4-0 after this match.

Key Players

Yuvraj Singh - A man often regarded as one of the best in the format, Yuvi has the capability to turn a match on its head, both with bat and ball. He needs to get his game back to the best to provide Pune with their first victory of the season.

Robin Uthapa - Dear old Robin has been taking on the role of Batman, and instead of playing second fiddle, he has been leading the batting attack (though that doesn’t really say much). He needs to stay in for the long haul and last at least 12 overs to provide the batting order with the stability it needs.

Warriors’ Strategy

Although the batting hasn’t fired till now, it is their strength on paper and if it fires, they can win. If they win the toss, they should bat first, bat with caution in the beginning and then back the power of their dollars to hit big. If they bowl first, then they should be defensive and try to contain rather than get on the offensive and try to bowl the Royals out. From there, they should once again back themselves to chase down whatever target.

Possible XI

There has to be at least one change with Yuvraj coming back in, meaning that Suman could get the axe. The other alternative would be to promote Suman to opener and axe Pandey. In the bowling, I don’t predict much to change for the match, though Mendis could be brought in to give more power to the bowling.

Robin Uthapa, Manish Pandey/T Suman, Marlon Samuels, Yuvraj Singh, Ross Taylor, Angelo Mathews, Abhishek Nayar, Mitch Marsh/Ajantha Mendis, B Kumar, Rahul Sharma, Ashok Dinda.