Title: Preview of Mumbai Indians vs Deccan Chargers

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Tournament leaders Deccan Chargers face their toughest test in their third game against the Mumbai Indians in the IPL at the Kingsmead  on Saturday. The excitement among the locals has sauntered to new heights courtesy the top billing of the two sides and the numerous entertainers who make the composition. Both sides prepared with a rigorous three hour training session on Friday.

Skipper Adam Gilchrist is aware of the challenge ahead. “Mumbai Indians are probably the best side in the tournament and to me the favourites. They have a good balance and it will be a great contest. We might have won two games but to us it is only two and every game is a new peak to conqueror,” said a quietly confident Gilchrist.

Chargers have virtually run away with their games based on their strength of performance in the first six overs. They have been unstoppable with both with the bat and ball during the power play. “That has been our strength but there are other areas where we have done well. The players have responded well to every situation.
 

The big part actually starts now. The kind of support we have been getting here has been truly amazing. I heard the city of Hyderabad is celebrating too. The going has been good so far and I hope it continues,” added Gilchrist.

The conditions here are different from Cape Town. The Chargers have used the last two days to get acclimatised to the conditions. The weather has also got a lot warmer. A well dried out surface and faster out fields means more runs. It could be one venue where the bat could thoroughly dominate the ball as the clash between Chennai and Delhi proved.

With Malinga and Zaheer Khan with the new ball the Chargers will have their task cut out. “Every opponent is different and one requires a new game plan to counter them. We are looking at this game differently than what we did to our earlier ones. The test lies in trying to adapt to the strength of your opponent. The preparation has gone on very well. We are doing what can be done best from our end,” explained Gilchrist.

The contest between Sachin Tendulkar and Fidel Edwards should form an engaging battle within the contest. It will be crucial for Chargers to see the back of Sachin and Sanath Jayasuriya early. They also have a lesson to learn from the length Chennai bowled to Abhishek Nayar. The southpaw is the danger man in the death overs.

Chargers have played the same combination in the first two games but Gilchrist did not rule out a change. “The combination has worked well without doubt. The team for this game can be decided only after a final look at the conditions. It is different from what we have experienced so far. Some of the talent that this warming the bench is very special and we are always on the lookout for a change that would help the team win,” said Gilchrist.

The curator promised a wicket full of runs. The venue has hosted a fair number of games and the domestic season ahs also taken its toll on the main square but the weather has helped the wicket hold better.

There was no let up in intensity. Deccan Chargers tuned up for their next battle with a strenuous practice session. One batch of players had a knock in the nets while the others had a fielding stint in the main ground.

Poor Harmeet Singh received a blow on his ribs when as he reacted slowly to a drive from Dwayne Smith off his own bowling. Coach Darren Lehman showed his concern by rushing the physio quickly. Luckily for Harmeet the team doctor was near the nets. A bit of ice treatment and the sardar looked better.
 
R.P. Singh is quickly getting used to jokes on his purple cap. He is the tournament’s highest wicket taker all right but the left-arm seamer does not want to get attached to the cap. “I had it for a while last season but could not hold on to it in the end. Let us see at the end on who can keep It for good,” said RP with that infectious smile before trudging towards the team bus.

Sachin Tendulkar’s son, Arjun is the star attraction during practice. Sachin’s family has joined him on his birthday. As the Chargers team bus leaves Mumbai Indians’ trainer Ramji Srinivasan calls for the team to assemble at the main ground for training. It is time for the media entourage to shift focus to the Mumbai unit.

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