Match Number 45 of IPL 7 will be played today and in all sense is a dead game. This game will have no impact on the chances of both the teams when it comes to make into the semi finals. One on hand , Kings11 Punjab has qualified for the knock out stage of the tournament , whereas Delhi has now all to play for pride in the tournament.
Strong points: Punjab will bank again on their powerful batting lineup , led by Maxwell and Miller. They have shown it that Maxwell and Miller might be their strength but they also have others in their bank to make up for the failure of Miller and Maxwell. Saha and Manan Vohra rose to the occasion in the last match and it just releases a bit of pressure from Maxwell and MIller.
Delhi on the other hands don’t seem to have any strong points , coming into the tournament. But the batting form of JP Duminy and Kedar Jadhav seems to be the only one, if there is one.
Weak points:
Punjab will have to ponder over their bowling and cannot always bank on their batsman to chase down 200+ scores. Johnson’s has not replicated his Test form into the IPL and might be given a break. Sandeep Sharma has been excellent with the new ball , but when it comes to bowling at the death, he has struggled.
For Delhi Daredevils, they will have to improve in every department. Bowling has looked terrible and elimination of Parnell is questionable. Peterson has become a liability for the team.
Team News: Thisara Perera has gone back for his national duties but that will not affect Punjab as he was not a part of their 11. Johnson might well get a break , but otherwise they are expected to go with the same 11.
Delhi Daredevils might well make bulk changes, considering the fact that they are no more a contender for a spot in the knock out stage. Giving some chances to the youngsters may be a good option, with someone as destructive as Saurabh Tiwari is yet to get a game in this year’s Pepsi IPL.
Standings: Punjab is placed at the top of the table, whereas Delhi is placed at the bottom of it.
Expected result: This must be an easy win for the KingsX11, considering their recent exploits in the IPL and the form of Delhi Daredevils. Delhi, though is a formidable side on paper, but so far has struggled.
Man to watch out for: Maxwell and Miller has been the star of the show but Sehwag is the man to watch out for . Playing on his home ground in Delhi, he will like to make a mark against his ex-franchise , who didnot pick him.