With their opponents having lost eight games in a row in their own backyard, Trinidad & Tobago will be well aware of the Deccan Chargers' jinx when the two face-off today
With their opponents having lost eight games in a row in their own backyard, Trinidad & Tobago will be well aware of the Deccan Chargers' jinx when the two face-off today
Three days ago, the Champions League Twenty20 concept was in danger of being shot down even before it took off. After all, the three Indian franchises competing in the event were staring at elimination in the very first round.
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Uneasy Time: VVS Laxman (left) and Adam Gilchrist in discussion during their defeat to Somerset Sabres in their opening game of the Champions League Twenty20 tournament in Hyderabad last week. PIC/SURESH KK |
But Delhi Daredevils scraped through to the next stage with a stellar performance against Wayamba Elevens on Sunday. That was followed by Royal Challengers Bangalore's emphatic victory against Otago Volts on Monday.
Today, it's the Deccan Chargers' turn.
After a last-ball loss to Somerset Sabres in their opening tie on Saturday, the defending Indian Premier League champions face Trinidad and Tobago the only national team competing in the gala event in a must-win game at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium tonight.
And the Chargers surely have their backs to the wall. Not just because of a spin-heavy Trinidad attack but also because they have lost each of their last eight matches staged at the Uppal, their homeground.
Assistant coach Kanwaljit Singh wasn't too perturbed with Chargers' dismal show at home. "Yes, to lose eight matches on our homeground is terrible. But, one win can change the whole scenario," he said after the Chargers had their last go at the nets ahead of the crucial encounter.
On the other hand, Trinidad enter the match in a win-win situation. All that Daren Ganga's men need to do is to avoid a heavy loss and their place in the last eight of the tournament will be ensured.
Ganga, after their surprise win against the Sabres on Monday, did not confirm whether he will field three spinners leggie Samuel Badree, offie Sherwin Ganga and chinaman Dave Mohammed.
Chargers, on the other hand, will be hoping that they get to face the tweakers' trio tonight. After all, the likes of Adam Gilchrist, VVS Laxman, Andrew Symonds and Rohit Sharma are known for their supremacy against spin
bowling.
But despite their reputation, none of their bigwigs was able to bat through the innings against Sabres, which cost them dearly. But if one of them shoulders the responsibility and delivers a knock-out punch against Trinidad, the city of Nizams will celebrate the festival of lights earlier than expected.
