Monday 8 April 2013

Mumbai Indians rivalry

                   
      Back spasms kept Sehwag from playing in Delhi's first two matches this season, which they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals. Media reports suggest a final call on his availability will be taken after the training session on Monday, and Delhi skipper Mahela Jayawardene will hope his star batsman takes the field in Mumbai to get his side's campaign back on track.But Delhi bowling is certain to get bolstered by Morne Morkel who has joined the squad and is almost certain to play, most likely in place of the West Indian Andre Russell. Ashish Nehra and Umesh Yadav have done a good job with the ball, but Nehra could be the unfortunate one to lose his place in the XI should Sehwag play - largely because Delhi would want to bolster their batting. Irfan Pathan is due as well and the team will expect he delivers against Mumbai. Johan Botha and Shahbaz Nadeem should retain their place in the XI as the two spinners.Fighting the absence of Kevin Pietersen and Jesse Ryder, who have been ruled out for the season due to injury, Delhi batting has looked shaky in the middle order with Jayawardene pushing himself up into top three to provide solid starts.The concern for Mumbai will be their patchy batting, especially the opening partnership of Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar that has been slow to get off the blocks. Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has looked their best bet so far to score quick runs in the first 10 overs, but eyes will once again be on Kieron Pollard whose 38-ball 57 turned the match around in Chennai. Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu have looked scratchy in their two innings but should retain their place keeping in mind their match-winning abilities.  But lack of solidarity in the middle innings has cost Delhi dearly, especially against Rajasthan, when the lower middle order spoiled the good work done by David Warner, leading to an agonising five-run defeat.

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