Durban, April 22 (Inditop) Fireworks are sure to erupt when Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils, packed with top international stars, clash in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at Kingsmead here Thursday.
There is no dearth of talent in both teams. Super Kings boast of a formidable batting line-up — Matthew Hayden, who is in hot form, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Albie Morkel, and Andrew Flintoff can rip apart any team on their day.
Daredevils, on the other hand, have the likes of explosive Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Tillekratne Dilshan and A.B de Villiers, who are equally devastating.
The respective bowling attacks of the two teams have both variety and depth.
The Daredevils attack is led by Glenn McGrath, who must be eagerly waiting to mark his run-up after missing the first match against Kings XI Punjab. The Daredevils allowed their pace spearhead to settle down before unleashing him. McGrath’s return will be one of the highlights of the match as the Australian will play after one year. He has not played cricket since his successful IPL stint last year that was followed by the demise of his wife Jane.
Super Kings have bounced back after their first-match loss to Mumbai Indians with a thumping 92-run win over Bangalore Royal Challengers.
Delhi Daredevils logged their first points against Kings XI Punjab, but they have not been tested as rain helped their cause.
Super Kings will take lot of confidence from their match against Royal Challengers, especially the way two of their senior pros — Hayden and Muttiah Muralitharan — have delivered.
The retired Australian opener cracked 44 and 65 in his inimitable style in the first two matches to become the tournament’s so far leading scorer. His knock against Royal Challengers set the match for Super Kings before Muralitharan captured three wickets to bowl out the opponents for 87.
If Muralitharan struck for Super Kings, another world-class spinner Daniel Vettori did the job for Daredevils, taking three wickets at a crucial time against Kings XI Punjab.
Rain has played spoilsport in the tournament so far and fans would hope Thursday might not turn out to be another dampener. The signs were not encouraging as Delhi Daredevils were greeted by persistent rain in their practice session. They cut short their net session and had to rest content with a football game and some indoor batting practice Tuesday.
“There is little you can do when faced with such weather,” said McGrath.
rounak