Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) are ready to play host to the Delhi Daredevils (DD) at their adopted 'home' in Pune in the 10th match of the Pepsi Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 on Wednesday.
KXIP might have been a little rusty in their first match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR), but they quickly learnt from their mistakes and remodelled their batting order. Skipper Geroge Bailey promoted himself to number five and played a match-winning innings against the Mumbai Indians (MI).
On the other hand, DD have played really well in their first two matches but ended up being on the losing side. Here are some of the key battles from this upcoming match:
Virender Sehwag vs Nathan Coulter-Nile: Sehwag got out cheaply against the RR but came back strongly against the MI. He was the usual Sehwag who was taking on the bowlers from the word go. He would like to play his natural game against his former side. Meanwhile, Nathan Coulter-Nile has been leading the DD pace attack. He bowled well in the first match but was wayward against the Royals. He needs to be consistent with his line and length, and bowl at the corridor of uncertainty to Sehwag in order to get him out.
Glenn Maxwell vs Amit Mishra: Maxwell has not been fairing well in this tournament after a good World Cup with the bat. He would be raring to go all guns blazing against DD, but his apparent weakness against the leg spinners are duly noted by the DD staff. Amit Mishra is one of the leggies who has dismissed Maxwell the most number of times apart from Piyush Chawla. Before Maxwell imposes him on this crafty leg-spinner, Mishra would look to deceive this devastating batsman with his googly or flight.
Yuvraj Singh vs Mitchell Johnson: Yuvraj found his rhythm back in the last match against the Royals. He was going hammer and tongs until he got out to a short pitch delivery from Chris Morris. Meanwhile, Johnson has been enjoying bowling in these Indian pitches and he will be well aware of Yuvraj's weakness for the short ball and will definitely not hold back to hurl them at him.
Imran Tahir vs George Bailey: Tahir has been the star bowler for DD as he has already picked up five wickets in two matches so far. It will not be easy to score off Tahir's bowling as his deliveries skids through the surface and is much faster in pace than Mishra. Bailey on the other hand, led his side from the front in the last match against the MI where he played a match-winning knock. He will definitely be watchful of Tahir.
Angelo Mathews vs Sandeep Sharma: Mathews played his first match of the IPL 2015 for his new franchise against the Royals and impressed his selectors with an all-round performance. He can hit the ball a long way but he has to deal with the swing bowling of KXIP speedster Sandeep Sharma. His ability to swing the cricket ball both ways earn him wickets and he got Rohit Sharma out for a duck in the last match from a terrific inswinging delivery.
While DD will be looking for a turnaround opeining their accounts on the points table, KXIP will look to build on their victory against the MI.
