The Adam Gilchrist led team started the tournament on a strong note defeating Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings with such ease that they looked to be favourites after the Delhi Daredevils, till they were laid low by 3 successive losses. Presently they are on the 4th spot of the points table with 12 points from 11 matches.

But Gilchrist and his boys are determined not to let the tournament slip, and will readily look to capitalize on Kolkata’s innumerable weaknesses in their encounter today. So much has been spoken of Kolkata’s misfortunes that it has begun to seem natural for every team to treat them as an ‘easy’ opponent. This is one trap that could prove fatal for the Chargers.

Deccan already has a strong batting line-up with the likes of Dwayne Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, Rohit Sharma and Gilchrist. It has been further strengthened now by the return of Andrew Symonds. Sharma has been most surprising with the ball and Pragyan Ojha’s left arm spin too is an invaluable asset to the team.

As for the Kolkata Knight Riders, poor form isn’t the only thing that is bogging them down, but it is the worst of their troubles, as they have been beaten 10 out of 11 times. They have rarely seemed like an integrated team. The last 3 matches they have left to play are only a matter of pride, and Kolkata must play positively. Recently McGrath wrote in the Hindu about Kolkata: “They are at present a team that is finding ways to lose, and this can be an extremely hard time for the players. Kolkata just need to stop fearing defeat and start enjoying their game. They have nothing more to lose now, so they must go and have a great time.”

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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