Mahela: We can sustain winning streak

Table-toppers Delhi Daredevils will seek to extend their three-match winning streak when they face Pune Warriors in their Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the Feroz Shah Kotla here today. Daredevils registered their fourth win in the season here on Thursday night against Deccan Chargers and are leading the points table with eight points from five matches. Pune Warriors are fourth with six points from six matches.

Shahbaz Nadeem (L) celebrates with his Delhi Daredevils teammates against Deccan Chargers on Thursday. Pic/AFP

Daredevils vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene wants to keep the momentum going by winning as many matches as they can. "We got the momentum now. It's good to keep it going. We have to play good cricket because we know we will have some pretty tough days on the road. As long we are winning we want to play as many matches as possible," said Jayawardene.

Jayawardene

Jayawardene also indicated that some of the key players could be rested as part of Daredevils' rotation. He also said that many players are warming the bench and they will also get their chance. Asked how difficult it will be for the team management to decide the combination of the team when Australian opener David Warner joins the squad, Jayawardene said: "It is a healthy headache to have rather than having not many players to choose from. KP (Kevin Pietersen) is leaving end of the month for his season so Warner will come and join the team. Plus we've got many players sitting on the bench. So it's all about rotation.

Daredevils have been the best team in the tournament so far. Barring their only loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore, they have won all their matches by big margins. Pietersen's maiden IPL century here Thursday night bears testimony to the Englishman's form this season. Daredevils' pace attack has been the best in the tournament while young left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem has been phenomenal. Their South African pacer Morne Morkel is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 12 wickets while Nadeem has bowled miserly.

Meanwhile, Pune Warriors will be hoping to end their two-match losing streak. Under Sourav Ganguly, they started well with convincing wins against Mumbai and Punjab. They even bounced back well to beat Chennai Super Kings by seven wickets after suffering crushing defeat against Kings XI in the away clash. But losses to Royal Challengers and Super Kings in their last two matches have left Ganguly with more questions to answer.u00a0