IPL / Frank Gregan / 05 April 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

It's a must-win game for both sides and the loser is likely to find it very difficult to still qualify for the semis. Rajasthan are showing signs of improvement with Shane Watson now in the side and look the call, believes Frank Gregan.

Venue and Conditions

The Deccan Chargers, who are unable to play on home soil because of security concerns, start the first of three 'home' games at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. The Chargers are the IPL nomads, this is the third stadium that they have had to call 'home' this season. It's the first time the wicket has been used in the IPL and both teams will be a little unsure of what gremlins lie beneath it. Consequently the pitch inspection and toss could be very important.

Team News

Deccan decided to ring the changes on Saturday, having previously lost three on the spin. Aussie Ryan Harris was thrown straight into the side 48 hours after having arrived from New Zealand. He had an unhappy time of it, conceding 40 runs and taking just the one wicket. VVS Laxman was restored to the line up but his miserable run of form continued as he failed to reach double figures yet again. Adam Gilchrist was injured during the game on Saturday and had to use a runner when batting; the Chargers will be hoping that their skipper recovers and can lead his team in a game that they are desperate to win.

Rajasthan had made a dreadful start to the tournament but won four on the trot before getting walloped by Delhi, a game in which they failed to bat out the 20 overs and made a miserable total of 121 whilst chasing 189. This prompted them to make three changes for Saturday's game in Chennai, tinkering with the foreign contingent by bringing in Shane Watson, who like Harris had only just arrived, for Adam Voges. Their other two changes saw Paras Dogra and Sid Trivedi give way to Shirkant Wagh and Abhishek Raut but despite playing their part in a fantastic cricketing run-fest, the Royals lost again. Their fielding was suspect on Saturday, a couple of dropped catches could have changed the outcome of the game, but they are unlikely to tinker with the side because of the positives that they will have taken from their great response, almost chasing down a massive total.

Match Odds

Deccan look likely to start favourites at [1.9] with the Royals available to back at [2.1]. Don't be put off Rajasthan by the odds, they were [2.64] outsiders going into their home game against the Chargers 10 days ago but ran out convincing winners.

Top Runscorer

Deccan's foreign contingent always dominate the market and between them Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds and Herschelle Gibbs have top scored in five of the eight Charger's innings to date. Symonds has been top dog on three occassions but so has Rohit Sharma and he is often a much bigger price than his overseas team-mates. A coupled bet on both Sharma (make sure you back Rohit and not Rahul!) and Symonds, who between them have top scored in 75% of Deccan's matches, will return around [3.25] and looks a value bet.

The debate rages in Rajasthan about where Yusuf Pathan should feature in the batting order. He is a mercurial talent, capable of tearing apart any bowling attack but the weight of expectation coupled with the lack of time available when he eventually gets in, is taking its toll. Promoted to number three on Saturday he was one of the few batsmen who failed in a very high scoring game. Michael Lumb, who has just secured his place in England's Twenty20 World Cup squad has flattered to deceive and needs a big score. Naman Ojha has re-captured his best form and from his slot at the top of the order will prove difficult to overhaul, if he gets through the crucial first six overs.

Featured Market

With both sides boasting big hitters the 'most sixes' market should be interesting. It will probably all hinge on how Yusuf Pathan performs. If he fires it's likely that Rajasthan will win the contest but if he fails, then Deccan should prevail.

Trivia

When batting first the Rajasthan Royals have never failed to defend a total of 150 or more in the IPL.

Best Bet

Frank Gregan says: Back the Rajasthan Royals at [2.1] or greater.