Indian Premier League - IPL / Andrew Hughes / 20 April 2010 /

Both of these teams endured a nightmare run of form during IPL 2010 but now they stand on the brink of reaching the final. Andrew Hughes previews Thursday's clash between twice semi-finalists Chennai and reigning champions Deccan.

Venue and Conditions

It is a pity for the people of Bangalore that the semi-finals were moved from that city, but as alternative venues go, there could be few better than the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. It is the most modern cricket arena in India and the crowds there make one hell of a din. There have been six IPL games at the ground and the stats are quite revealing. An average first innings score of 153 does not suggest a typical Indian pitch, nor does the fact that quicker bowlers have fared better than spinners, both in terms of averages and economy rates. The relatively new playing surface was laid using 200 tonnes of South African soil and was intended to offer pace and bounce for the quick bowlers.

Team News

Chennai are faced once more with the Murali conundrum. Do they bring back their world class spinner for a game of this magnitude or do they stick with his understudy, Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been doing a splendid job for them? It is likely that they will continue to leave Muttiah on the bench but could bring in seam bowler Thilan Thushara for the relatively ineffective Justin Kemp.

Deccan's run of success has been based on a settled side and we probably shouldn't expect too many changes. They may consider bringing back the experience of Herschelle Gibbs, at the expense of Mitchell Marsh but one change they are almost certain to make is R P Singh being recalled in place of Rahul Sharma for a venue likely to more conducive to swing bowling than spin.

Match Odds

This game is all about the clash between Chennai's batting and Deccan's bowling. Both sides have in truth been pretty ordinary with the ball for long periods in this tournament, but the recall of Chaminda Vaas to the Charger's line up makes them a far more potent bowling unit and R P Singh could also be very effective at this venue. Chennai's bowlers, meanwhile, have continued to disappoint, Doug Bollinger and Ashwin apart and on Sunday conceded 192 runs against rock bottom Punjab.

Chennai do appear to have the edge in the batting department. Though both teams have been weakened by the poor form of their veteran Aussie openers, Chennai have slightly more experience in the middle order, with Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni and Albie Morkel providing a useful backbone, whereas the Chargers have been mainly dependent on their inexperienced Indian batsmen and some uncharacteristically sensible efforts from Andrew Symonds.

With so little to choose between them it makes sense simply to side with the bigger odds and the [2.16] on offer for Deccan Chargers makes more appeal than the [1.79] for Chennai.

Top Batsman

With Adam Gilchrist still out of form, it is best to look elsewhere for top Deccan Chargers batsman. Monish Mishra and Tirumalasetti Suman have done well but in such a pressurised high profile game it is best to side with the experience of Rohit Sharma at [5.2] or Andrew Symonds at [5.5]

For Chennai, any of M S Dhoni, Subramaniam Badrinath or Suresh Raina would be a good call, but the preference is for Raina who has been in the form of his life during this IPL, has more big match experience than Badrinath and is certain to come in high up the order, unlike Dhoni. He can be backed at [4.7] or better.

Featured Market

The average number of sixes hit during IPL games at this venue is 11.17 so you may wish to consider backing 10-13 in the 'Total Sixes' market at [3.0] or better.

Trivia

It was on this ground in 2008 that Adam Gilchrist smashed 109 off 47 balls, the fastest century of the IPL, a record that stood until Yusuf Pathan surpassed it this year.

Andrew Hughes says: Back Deccan Chargers to win at [2.16]

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