JOIN USPatchy Chargers face acid Indians challenge
Kumar Sangakkara’s Chargers have been struggling to gel as a team and that has reflected in their roller-coaster run so far. In the five matches they have played so far, the 2009 champions have won twice while finishing on the losing side on three occasions.
But the Chargers go into the match as a confident unit after beating Delhi Daredevils in their previous outing, in which the batting came good for them. The line-up does not exactly boast of established stars except for Sangakkara and to some extent Shikhar Dhawan.
But Sunny Sohal and Bharath Chipli have done a decent job in the past two outings to bring a semblance of balance to the Chargers’ batting.
As far as their bowling is concerned, the team would be hoping that South African pacer Dale Steyn and Manpreet Gony would continue their fine form. The duo may not have bagged too many wickets but have done the containing job which is also crucial in the Twenty20 format.
But Ishant Sharma, Daniel Christian and Amit Mishra will also have to get into the rhythm to cope with the onslaught that Mumbai is bound to unleash on Sunday. Led by the iconic Sachin Tendulkar, who incidentally turns 38 on match day, last year’s runners-up have been in fantastic form, winning four of their five matches so far.
Mumbai’s batting has clicked very well with Tendulkar, Ambati Rayudu, Andrew Symonds and Rohit Sharma in fine form.
Rohit, who laid the platform for Mumbai’s competitive total of 164 with his superbly paced innings of 87 in 48 balls on Friday, said he would be aiming to make an impression in the IPL to force his way back into the national side.
“I am glad to make runs. I know I missed out on the World Cup. But it’s alright; things happened like that. I just need to keep my focus on. I don’t lose heart and whenever I get my opportunity, I just want to go out and do my best,” said the youngster.
Mumbai’s bowling has been adequate, if not spectacular, with Lasith Malinga and Munaf Patel doing a good job along with Harbhajan Singh, who made quite a statement with a five-wicket haul against the Chennai Super Kings on Friday night.
Though Ali Murtaza has been hit for runs, he’s also taken wickets and Abu Nechim bowled well when given a chance. Mumbai, in fact, would be aiming to give Tendulkar a perfect 38th birthday gift by winning against the Deccan Chargers.