Deccan aim to rise from bottom, take on Kochi

Their campaign has been far from impressive so far and the task is not going to be any easier for Deccan against a confident Kochi outfit.

Although their three-match winning run was halted by Rajasthan Royals but Kochi have done well and look a solid unit.

But Kumar Sangakkara's Chargers have been struggling to gel together as a team and that has reflected in their roller-coaster run so far.

In six matches they have played so far, the 2009 champions have won only twice while finishing on the losing side on four occasions.

Having lost to Mumbai Indians in their last outing, with both batting and bowling failing to make an impression, the chips are obviously down.

And they desperately need a win against Kochi, who have managed three wins and as many losses from their six games.

The Deccan batting line-up has not been able to live up to expectations except for Kumar Sangakkara and to some extent Shikhar Dhawan.

Besides, Sunny Sohal and Bharat Chipli have done a decent job in a couple of matches 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 and spinner Amit Mishra would come out with flying colours.

But Ishant Sharma and Daniel Christian will also have to get into the rhythm to cope with the likes of Mahela Jayawardene, Brendon McCullum, Brad Hodge, VVS Laxman and Parthiv Patel.

On the other hand, the Kochi Tuskers, who had been on a rampage, having registered three back-to-back victories, were stopped by the Rajasthan Royals in the last game.

But that should not have much bearing on Jayawardene and Co., who earlier stunned three powerful sides in the competition -- defending champions Chennai Super Kings, runners-up of last season Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders -- to emerge victorious.