Deccan Chargers– Indian Premier League 5 – Teams Assessment
With the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League now reaching its peaks, Deccan faces an uphill task to qualify for the knock out stages.
They were termed as the weakest team among all the other IPL franchises this season, mainly owing to a lack of quality Indian players, who could back their overseas contingent. After winning the title in 2009, a reshuffle has left them vulnerable, with the
likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RG-Sharma-c2309 all moving on to relatively formidable outfits.
They banked on the expertise of Sri Lankan skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KC-Sangakkara-c1779 to lead them but his performances so far have not been up to mark. The left-hander has managed just 83 runs in five games, with a strike-rate below 100.
Also with pacer, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DW-Steyn-c1409 to deliver the goods. The South African has had an impressive campaign, making most of his pace and swing ability, but unfortunately has received little help from the remaining, relatively
weak, bowling line-up. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/A-Mishra-c871 provides the spin option but has managed just five wickets till date.
As it stands, Deccan have only win from seven completed matches, while earned a share of the spoils against Kolkata Knight Riders after the match was abandoned due to rain. They lost their last game against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820 Indians, depicting a lack of depth in
their squad.
Despite that, the team has also been on the receiving end of some narrow losses, including two last-over defeats against Mumbai Indians and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rajasthan-c837 Royals. They will now need to win all their remaining matches to book their passage into the top four –
a task which seems highly unlikely.
However, the Chargers have nothing to lose and will want to make amends, albeit for the owners and fans.
Their next clash pits them against Pune Warriors at home and they need to ensure that they emerge winners from this game. They need to field well, a concern which has been clearly highlighted by their coach http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Darren-Scott-Lehmann-c52487, and will further need to avoid
a batting order collapse.
Among their overseas groups, their best combination remains Sangakkara, Cameron While, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JP-Duminy-c1742 and Steyn. While the Proteas pacer has been steaming in, the batters have failed to find their feet in the competition.
The Lankan skipper missed the previous game, owing to poor form, and installed White as captain but that move completely backfired. Apart from his match-winning half-century against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Warriors-c861, the former Aussie T20 skipper has struggled to find form, but
remains a good bet due to his natural batting ability, which is what the team desperately needs.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DM-Bravo-c1386, who will be available following the conclusion
of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Devi-Chand-Worrel-c53918 Trophy.
The domestic players have also had little impact, apart from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Parthiv-Patel-c2159 was their major signing of the season but has been ineffective, despite
his recent upsurge.
Final verdict: the Chargers remain precariously placed at the bottom of the table, and their tag as the weakest team is sure to linger on.
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