Match Preview: Mumbai Magicians face tough test from Delhi WaveRiders

Delhi’s Sardar Singh and Mumbai’s Sandeep Singh will be battling it out against each other on Wednesday.

Venue : Major Dhyan Singh Stadium, New Delhi (Capacity – 16,200)

Broadcaster: Star Sports (Hindi Commentary), Star Cricket (English Commentary)

Date: 16 January 2013

Time : 8:00 PM (IST)

After a day’s break, Hockey India League is back with two big encounters – one of them pipping Sardara Singh led Delhi WaveRiders against India’s star penalty corner expert Sandeep Singh’s Mumbai Magicians. Delhi WaveRiders, who beat Punjab Warriors in the opening game of Hockey India League 2-1 will be looking to win two matches in a row against a Mumbai side which has been dealt a blow a day before the game. Mumbai Magicians will be missing their 4 Pakistani players due to protests by a political outfit.

A goal each from Oskar Deecke and Gurvinder Singh Chandi gave Delhi a much deserved victory over Jaypee Punjab Warriors and Delhi WaveRiders would like to keep the momentum going against Mumbai Magicians. The absence of PC expert Taeke Taekema did hurt Delhi as Rupinder Pal Singh failed to convert all the 3 chances they got against Punjab Warriors. Their opponents Mumbai Magicians would be keen to make a confident start to their Hero Hockey India League campaign, especially in an away game. All eyes would be on Magicians’ top star Sandeep Singh. Sandeep is a proven performer at the highest level, and the onus would be on him to deliver the goods. Magicians’ fortunes in Wednesday’s match, as well as in the tournament, would depend a lot on Sandeep Singh’s form.

Team News

There are currently no fitness concerns for Delhi WaveRiders and they won’t have any problem with Pakistani players being sent home from the tournament. Delhi has only two players from Pakistan among their squad of 24 and missing those two will not affect the team much. Sardara Singh and Gurvinder Singh Chandi are in red hot form and once again, they will be expected to wreak havoc against the Mumbai Magicians’ defence.

On the other hand, Mumbai Magicians is one weak team in the tournament currently. Gods haven’t been kind towards them so far. The team is surely unsettled by the abrupt halting of their practice session and changing of base from Mumbai to Delhi in just a couple of days. Mumbai Magicians will also miss the Pakistani players (they have highest number, 4) playing for their side. The onus will be again on Sandeep Singh who has a point to prove after being dropped from the national side.

Players to watch out for:

Gurvinder Singh Chandi has been most impressive for Delhi

Delhi WaveRiders – Gurvinder Chandi - He was the most impressive player on the pitch in the game against Punjab Warriors and you can expect more fireworks from him as the tournament progresses. Supported by Oskar Deecke and Sardara Singh, the threat of Gurvinder Chandi multiplies. The defence of Mumbai Magicians will have to keep him marked and quiet throughout the game to have any chance of winning.

Mumbai Magicians – Sandeep Singh - The whole of Mumbai Magicians team will be depending on Sandeep Singh to score goals for the team and even carry out the defensive duties. Sandeep is the most experienced player of the squad and the whole team will be looking up to him. He will have to lead from the front and give Mumbai a much needed victory.

Coaches:

Delhi WaveRiders: Ajay Kumar Bansal (India)

Mumbai Magicians: Ric Charlesworth (Australia)

Prediction: Things are not going to be easy for Mumbai Magicians and in-form Delhi are surely going to make their life difficult. I predict a Delhi win with score line of 3-0.

Did You Know: Sandeep Singh has been known for producing the fastest speed off a drag flick (145 kmph).