Match Previews / Ed Hawkins / 12 March 2010 /

Tournament favourites Delhi are in action against King's XI in Mohali and if they can't see off the depleted hosts, they are in trouble. Ed Hawkins previews the third match of the IPL

Venue and conditions
Expect runs. Chennai smashed 240 in the first game at the PCA stadium in Chandigarh in IPL1. The average first-innings score at the venue in that tournament was a whopping 185. King's won six of their seven home games that year.

Team news
King's XI Punjab, who made the semi-finals in year one, have largely been written off for IPL3. It is no surprise when one reads their injury list. Yuvraj Singh, who tore a ligament in his wrist, is a major doubt for this first game while Australian opener Shaun Marsh and allrounder Irfan Pathan have problems, too.

There will be no place for Brett Lee or Jerome Taylor, either. Lee is still recovering from elbow surgery while Taylor is out for the season. South African paceman Juan Theron has signed to bolster the bowling. Ravi Bopara has joined up with King's despite reports that he was concerned over security.

Unlike most sides, Delhi have all their stars, Paul Collingwood aside, in place. But how to fit them all in? Well, Daniel Vettori, Wayne Parnell and Farveez Maharoof are likely to miss out with Delhi keen to pack the batting. With Tillakaratne Dilshan, AB de Villiers, and David Warner joining domestic heroes Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, you can't blame them.

Match odds
If Delhi Daredevils fail to win this match then their favourites tag should be ripped up. Horribly depleted, King's appear to be on a hiding to nothing. And the match odds market agrees. Delhi are [1.58] with King's [2.58].

There is more science than looking at the respective team lists and spotting that Delhi have talent oozing from their batting grills. King's are recognised as having the worst bowling line-up. Last year they conceded 211 v Rajasthan, the highest total of the tournament. They were also responsible for the sixth highest, against Chennai, leaking 185.

Top batsman
While Sehwag and Dilshan, World Twenty20 star, will get most attention, it should not be forgotten that De Villiers scored most Delhi runs in IPL2. Sehwag and Dinesh Karthik top scored in the respective matches last year.

With Punjab so short on players, expect Kumar Sangakkara or Mahela Jayawardene to step up. In the absence of opener Marsh, Bopara may be asked to open the batting.

Featured market
If Delhi bat first, remember the first innings average and wager on them posting 180 or more.

Trivia
Of the 59 IPL2 matches, 33 were won by the side batting second.

Ed Hawkins says: back Delhi for 180 runs or more if they bat first

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