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27-Apr-2009 22:55:00 GMT
Indian Premier League, 2009

Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils at Centurion - Preview

Centurion: A struggling Team Jaipur will look to resuscitate their title defence while a rampaging Team Delhi will strive to continue their unbeaten run when the two sides lock horns in an Indian Premier League encounter here on Tuesday.

The Virender Sehwag-led Delhi team is gradually emerging as one of the strongest title contenders and is comfortably second in the points tally after winning all its three matches played so far.

On the other hand, Shane Warne’s Jaipur has managed three points by virtue of the tied match against Knight Riders which they won in the 'Super Over' and are languishing seventh in the table.

Delhi's formidable batting line-up, which managed 189 for five, the highest score of the tournament so far - against last year's runner-up Team Chennai in their second outing, has made them a force to reckon with.

Their explosive opening pair of Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, followed by the likes of Tillakaratne Dilshan, who scored a gutsy 67 to guide the team to a six-wicket win over Royal Challengers on Sunday, will be a worry for Jaipur bowlers.
In-form all-rounder AB de Villiers and Mithun Manhas have also proved themselves in trying moments and the side is seemingly poised for chasing down stiff targets.

In the bowling department, Dutch-born Australian left-arm paceman Dirk Nannes, along with India discard Ashish Nehra, is showing some ominous penetration power and getting early breakthroughs.

The new-ball pair is finding supports from the spin duo of Amit Mishra and New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori, who is drawing from his vast experience to make Delhi's bowling formidable.

In contrast, Jaipur have seemed like a shadow of the winning unit they were last season. Young paceman Kamran Khan, who scalped two wickets for 15 runs for a losing cause in Sunday's match against Kings XI Punjab, and speedster Munaf Patel are surely doing their bit but the batting has failed to back their consistent effort.

The team will be desperate for some fireworks from South Africa skipper Graeme Smith, who is yet to make any notable contribution. The middle-order consisting Australian Rob Quiney and British Dimitri Mascarenhas will also have to strike form for the side to climb up in the points ladder.

Match facts
Tuesday April 28, 2009 (day/night)
Start time 04.30pm, 14.30GMT, 08:00pm IST


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