It is now down to four teams as the second edition of the Indian Premier League is on the cusp of the knockout stage.

While Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Super Kings have sealed berths in the semifinals, doing enough to take the top two spots on the points table, the two other berths will be decided later tonight following the Deccan Chargers- Royal Challengers Bangalore clash.

The team started off with a bang and have been at the top of the charts on the back of comprehensive wins. However, Sehwag’s men seem to have hit a trough of late and suffered two losses in their last three matches. The continued failure of the feared openers (Sehwag and his deputy Gautam Gambhir) must be a worry for the team and also for rivals. Given the fact that Sehwag missed a few matches and has endured a nightmare on return.

On paper, the team looks a contender for the title and will be hoping that Sehwag comes out of the rut and leads the run charge. The good run of AB de Villiers, T Dilshan and Dinesh Karthik will give the Daredevils a lot to cheer.

On the bowling front, Dirk Nannes and Aashish Nehra have been in good nick and their form will be a key factor if the team has to go all the way.

Key Player: Sehwag

Chennai Super Kings: M S Dhoni is an admired man everywhere he goes and the team he leads is a popular one and a strong one at that.  CSK started off badly before hitting back with a vengeance.  Many see the powerful outfit from Chennai as the most likely to lift the glittering trophy on 24 May and the team will certainly fancy its chances.

 

Recently retired Aussie Matthew Hayden has been in roaring form and leads the run-getters list. After missing out the last two league matches, the Queenslander will expected to be back and firing in the semis. The ever-improving Suresh Raina has been another batting star for the ‘Men in Yellow’. The contributuon of the threesome — Hayden, Raina and Dhoni will be crucial as the tourney moves into the business end.

The arrival of Mike Hussey will have the management in a dilemma as to whom to pick and drop. However, Dhoni will be praying that the bowling comes good after the pasting in recent matches including that against KKR. Spinners have done the job for the skipper, especially in the Kings XI Punjab match.

Deccan Chargers: It was an eminently forgettable IPL in 2008 for the Hyderabad side. Fortunes have changed completely for the Adam Gilchrist-led team and they got off to a flying start. The veteran Aussie himself has been among the lead performers with the talented yet temperamental Rohit Sharma giving glimpses of what he’s capable of, with bat and ball.

The return of the fiery Australian Andrew Symonds has added to the team’s strength. His ferocious hitting coupled with handy bowling and brilliant fielding make him a dangerous customer. Herschelle Gibbs has threatened but rarely  delivered the goods.

The onus will be on him to strike it rich in the knockout matches.  The bowlers led by a resurgent R P Singh have been more than adequate and will need to maintain the levels if the Chargers have to lay their hands on the trophy.

Adam Gilchrist Royal Challengers Bangalore: Another team that has enjoyed a good run after the lows of 2008.

The much-hyped England star Kevin Pietersen failed to inspire the players. Ever since the affable Anil Kumble took over after KP left, things have turned around for the BRC. Jacques Kallis and Ross Taylor among others have pulled their weights at different times.  

The bowling attack has improved with Kumble doing a great job but it will take more than just that.
A collective effort is needed if Vijay Mallya’s outfit has to continue the charge and take the honours.