Visakhapatnam: Deccan Chargers have their work cut out as they seek a change of fortunes against the mighty Mumbai Indians in today's only Indian Premier League match.
After losing their first match to defending champions Chennai Super Kings by 74 runs, the Chargers welcome back skipper Kumar Sangakkara from international duty for Sri Lanka, which is sure to prove a shot in the arm in the batting department.
A target of 194 was always going to be a daunting chase against Chennai, but Deccan's woeful batting performance emphasised how badly the side missed their talisman.
A line-up which looks thin at the best of times will need Sangakkara to fire at the top of the order along with Shikhar Dhawan and some solid contributions in the middle from Cameron White and all-rounder Daniel Christian.
The withdrawal of Ishant Sharma before the start of the tournament puts added pressure on bowler Dale Steyn, who lacks quality support from the other end.
Mixed results
Mumbai have won one and lost one under the captaincy of Harbhanjan Singh, who took over from Sachin Tendulkar this season.
Tendulkar — who sustained a finger injury off the bowling of Doug Bollinger and was forced to retire hurt against Chennai, a match Mumbai won by eight wickets — is a doubtful starter for the Deccan clash, having missed the defeat against Pune Warriors.
Mumbai have a far superior team on paper with names, the likes of Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga, Mitchell Johnson and Ambati Rayudu in their ranks, not to mention Tendulkar and Harbhajan.
However, it's 4-4 as far as previous IPL meetings are concerned and both teams will be raring to go in match nine of this year's competition.
After losing their first match to defending champions Chennai Super Kings by 74 runs, the Chargers welcome back skipper Kumar Sangakkara from international duty for Sri Lanka, which is sure to prove a shot in the arm in the batting department.
A target of 194 was always going to be a daunting chase against Chennai, but Deccan's woeful batting performance emphasised how badly the side missed their talisman.
A line-up which looks thin at the best of times will need Sangakkara to fire at the top of the order along with Shikhar Dhawan and some solid contributions in the middle from Cameron White and all-rounder Daniel Christian.
The withdrawal of Ishant Sharma before the start of the tournament puts added pressure on bowler Dale Steyn, who lacks quality support from the other end.
Mixed results
Mumbai have won one and lost one under the captaincy of Harbhanjan Singh, who took over from Sachin Tendulkar this season.
Tendulkar — who sustained a finger injury off the bowling of Doug Bollinger and was forced to retire hurt against Chennai, a match Mumbai won by eight wickets — is a doubtful starter for the Deccan clash, having missed the defeat against Pune Warriors.
Mumbai have a far superior team on paper with names, the likes of Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga, Mitchell Johnson and Ambati Rayudu in their ranks, not to mention Tendulkar and Harbhajan.
However, it's 4-4 as far as previous IPL meetings are concerned and both teams will be raring to go in match nine of this year's competition.
