Twenty20 matches can swing in a matter of a few deliveries. The trick is to seize the moment before the opportunity flies away. In this territory, comebacks can be hard. Unlike in one-dayers, there may not be much space and time to turn things around here.
Chennai Super Kings has often displayed that precious ability to cash in on openings. Not without reason is CSK the most successful team in the Indian Premier League.
Delhi Daredevils has never been short of talent or big ticket players. Yet, the side is without a title in the seven editions so far and finished at the bottom last year.
The side from Delhi has, on many occasions in the past, failed to drive home the advantage, loosened its grip in crunch situations. The Daredevils have the chance to put all that behind this season.
There should be no dearth of fireworks when the Daredevils clash with the Super Kings at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday.
Bowlers could come under pounding again. That’s the nature of the beast in the most abbreviated form of the game.
The contest will also mark the return of the IPL to Chennai; no games were held here in 2014.
Mathews to sit out
The Daredevils will be without Angelo Mathews in this game. Like in 2013, cricketers from the emerald island will not feature in matches in the city owing to security concerns. Asked about missing the big-hitting all-rounder, Daredevils captain Jean-Paul Duminy said: “Obviously, it is a big loss to us. He is a crucial player. But it’s also an opportunity for the other players to stake a claim.”
CSK will be without all-rounder Irfan Pathan and paceman Andrew Tye, both of whom face fitness concerns. Both sides have the depth to make up for cricketers not available.
The surface for the game — some grass is expected to be left on the pitch — could be one with some bounce. This would suit both the stroke-makers and the bowlers.
Much focus will be on CSK captain M.S. Dhoni and the explosive Brendon McCullum, fresh from their World Cup exploits. McCullum can power the side to sensational starts while the Dhoni is among the game’s foremost finishers.
Yuvraj Singh could be the Daredevils’ ace in the pack. If this gifted southpaw cuts loose, CSK will have a job plugging the gaps. Duminy’s left-handed batting has several shades to it; he is a crafty manipulator of the ball.
Yorkers of different variety — the slower ones, the toe-crushers and the ones just outside the off stump — will be on view.
The slower and the quicker bouncer could also deprive the batsman of momentum.
Changes of pace may be the key but there is no substitute for control. CSK’s canny Mohit Sharma and the bustling Mohammed Shami of the Daredevils are the pacemen to watch out for.
Of course, R. Ashwin’s off-spin — the batsmen will have to look out for the carrom ball — will demand attention. Daredevils leg-spinners Imran Tahir and Amit Mishra could also strike in a format loaded in batsmen’s favour if there is some bounce in the wicket.
The stage is set for the showdown under the lights.
