Having retained last season's core players, Mumbai Indians have an upper hand over Delhi Daredevils when the two sides clash at Feroz Shah Kotla on Sunday
Having retained last season's core players, Mumbai Indians have an upper hand over Delhi Daredevils when the two sides clash at Feroz Shah Kotla on Sunday
The relaxed faces of captains Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag during a practice session here at Feroz Shah Kotla on Saturday was proof that the sides were still easing into the competition less than a week after India's historic World Cup triumph. The two stalwarts will lead the two pre-tournament favourites in today's heavyweight clash.
|
| Delhi Daredevils skipper Virender Sehwag (right) chats with Mumbai Indians bowler Harbhajan Singh during a practice session at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi on Saturday. PIC/Imtiaz Khan |
Mumbai Indians had to train without Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh for the last two weeks because of the World Cup, but the likes of Rohit Sharma, Andrew Symonds and Kieron Pollard have been involved in the bonding exercise.
Mentor-cum-bowling coach Shaun Pollock stressed that Mumbai are looking to gel as a unit early in the season. "The spirits are very high in the team.u00a0 All the players are extremely pumped up about this tournament, and I think we have a great combination of explosive batsmen, all-rounders, bowlers, and a great captain in Tendulkar," the former South African captain said on Saturday.
The game would be crucial for youngsters Rohit, Irfan Pathan, David Warner, Umesh Yadav and Ashok Dinda ufffd not included in their respective national sides during the World Cup. Also, young quickie Varun Aaron ufffd who clocked 154 kmph during the Vijay Hazare Trophy final for Jharkhand ufffd will be watched closely by the national selectors.
It must be noted that almost all franchises are getting used to new-look squads, coaching staff, and skippers. However, Mumbai have retained the core of its 2010 side in Tendulkar, Pollard, Harbhajan, Lasith Malinga, Ambati Rayudu and R Satish, which would give them an advantage.
Also, the addition of Munaf Patel, James Franklin, Rohit, Symonds, and James Franklin makes them more formidable.
Delhi lost a key bowler in Dirk Nannes but have gained heavily with the addition of Morne Morkel, who is ready to spearhead the attack.
"It is a challenge bowling on Indian wickets but it's a challenge that I enjoy," Morkel said. "I have a fair idea of the Indian conditions and pitches with the World Cup. I am improving my skills on a daily basis and it was good for me to pick that experience before this event."
Morkel will be joined by bowling all-rounders Pathan, James Hopes, Andrew McDonald, besides left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe.
It promises to be a keen battle between Mumbai's power-hitters and Delhi's bowling.
