Pune Warriors India vs. Delhi Daredevils - Preview

It has been three days since the Pune Warriors India beat the current best of the IPL – the Delhi Daredevils; so much so on Delhi’s home ground. The reason is not that DD played badly – PWI just managed to outperform them. DD’s bowling could not curb Ryder or Ganguly who kept accumulating runs, nor could Sehwag, Jayawardene or Pietersen blow apart PWI’s bowlers. Not to mention Sourav Ganguly, who used this encounter to score his highest this season and even took two crucial wickets.

But PWI doesn’t have a great record when it comes to facing teams that they have won over once. They beat KXIP and CSK in their first encounters but proceeded to lose their second confrontations with both the teams. This match is however, reminiscent of the one against KXIP. PWI and KXIP played two consecutive matches against each other, with neither team playing anyone else in between. And while PWI won the first, they could not repeat their winning performance in the second. And this time, they play DD three days after they defeated them, with neither team facing anyone else in the days between.

DD has won more matches than they’ve lost, and they will not be willing to lose their position from the top of the table so easily. When they face PWI today, they will probably do so with increased determination, planning, practice and strategy.

Pune’s fans will watch this match to see their team repeat their winning performance while Delhi’s followers will watch with the hope to see their team reclaim their ascendancy.

Head to Head

Pune Warriors India and Delhi Daredevils have come face to face thrice. Their first encounter in IPL 2011 saw Delhi walk away with the match while their second match of the season was cancelled due to rain. They faced each other again in IPL 2012 on Delhi’s home ground where PWI returned victorious, beating DD by 20 runs.

Played – 3, DD-1, PWI – 1, NR – 1.

Players to watch out for

Pune Warriors India

Jesse Ryder

He has been on a see-saw since the beginning of the IPL 2012. While his involvement in some matches was almost negligible, he has shone as one the biggest contributors in others, often leading his team to victory. His performance against Delhi in their last match brought him a lot of attention and expectations. He’s already proven that he has the ability to pose a major problem for Delhi and the Daredevils will be looking to nip this challenge in the bud.

Alfonso Thomas

He gave Delhi’s impressive batting line up the proverbial run for its money. His skill in bowling economic overs will make him an asset once again. And his talent at picking wickets might just become another advantage for the Warriors.

Sourav Ganguly

Ganguly has proved to be a shrewd captain time and again. But his team and fans alike got to also see his spectacular player side as he piled the runs and disrupted the stumps in their last match against Delhi. He might not have been in his best form in earlier matches but a new side of him has come to light. The Warriors’ X Factor - Ganguly, in addition to challenging the opposition with his captaincy, might be a greater problem for Delhi if he reprises his role as a player who clearly deserved the Man of the Match awarded to him.

Delhi Daredevils

Virender Sehwag

Viru has a simple approach – hit as hard as you can and as fast as you can. The Nawab of Najafgarh plays with the amalgamation of speed and booming hits. His natural instinct is to keep tossing the ball out of boundary limits as often as possible, and in a match that depends heavily on speedy success, he can be the factor that tips the odds in the Daredevils’ favor.

Morne Morkel

He has been known to agitate the best batsmen. He’s had a good season so far, picking up wickets with almost ridiculous ease. And he’s coming up against the Warriors looking to even the score. Morkel will not be short on motivation in this match and the Warriors’ may have to come out with all shields up.

Irfan Pathan

Pathan might not have been the most consistent performer in IPL 2011 or even in the IPL 2012 so far, but his impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy has made clear that his adroitness is intact – all he needs to do is click on the day. The Daredevils’ X Factor, Pathan may be quite a challenge when consumed with the intent to reclaim a win against the Warriors.

Prediction

There is a reason why DD is presiding over the points table. In spite of their last loss to the Pune Warriors, the Delhi Daredevils have an edge that they will exploit to the full. Equipped with motivation to beat the team that bested them, the Daredevils are most likely to emerge triumphant.