Jaipur look to continue good run

The Shane Warne led Jaipur team, which has sprung as a surprise package in the Indian Premier League would want to continue their splendid run against Delhi in the first semi final in Mumbai at the Wankhede.


The two teams, which finished first and fourth respectively in the preliminary phase of the Twenty20 league, are more or less evenly matched, at least on paper to produce a rivetting cricket match in front of a packed Wankhede gallary.


The team that hold its own in a battle of nerves would go through to the finals and play the winners of the second semi final to be played between Mohali and Chennai on Saturday.


Japiur and Delhi go into the semis with a 1-1 win loss record against each other in the league stages. While Jaipur won 11 of their 14 matches, Delhi managed seven wins, with one game getting washed out due to rain.


Both these teams would be hoping their top orders continue to come out all guns blazing like they have done all of the last month and a half.


The initial lateral movement and bounce at the Wankhede would mean there would have to be some top quality exhibition of batting from the top order and with both teams boasting of world class seamers, this should indeed be a clash of the titans between bat and ball.


Sohail Tanvir, with his akward action has troubled batsmen mercilessly, in he process bagging 21 wickets at just 10 runs per victim.


Vrey few of Delhi's batsmen have seen him much apart from regular India internationals like Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag and of course Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik.


So it might make sense to send the Pakistani captain up the order to counter the swing he gets.


Both teams carry good spin attacks as well. Warne and Yousuf Pathan and Dinesh Salunkhe are more than a handful for a good batting side while Delhi would look up to Amit Mishra and their skipper to tweak it for them.


There is no threat of rain playing spoil sport to what is expected to be a moth watering clash for cricket fanatics, a section that has blossomed from all layers of the society, tramnscending all age groups.