DC stand in DD's path

If T20 is 50% luck, the other 50% is fast boiling. In the race for semifinal places and net-run-rate calculations, two more teams will have the opportunity to bid goodbye to IPL on Sunday. Delhi Daredevils and Deccan Chargers' in IPL 3 league can come to a successful closure if one can win the other at the Kotla. The high security situation in the wake of the Bangalore blasts isn't the only thing giving these two captains nightmares. Gautam Gambhir and Adam Gilchrist's team have 14 points each, and 7 wins from 13 matches, though Delhi's NRR of +0.066 is an important improvement on the Chargers -0.363.

A win for eitherwill mean 16 points and an assured semifinal place. A defeat won't rule them out, though they will be in a really precarious situation as both teams' net run rate could end up being poor compared to other potential semifinalists. Both teams have shared their form has been as unpredictable as the Kotla pitches on offer. Delhi's 6-wicket win at Chennai in their previous game, thanks largely to the efforts of their bowlers. Deccan, on the other hand, on a 4 winning streak and the last win finished by Rohit Sharma on Friday which took them to fourth place.

If Gilchrist’s men lose, they might be up against it and if 4 teams are tied on 14 after the league, their net run rate will let them down. If Delhi loses, they too have to wait on a few results, and particularly hope that Chennai Super Kings lose to Punjab. The curators have worked hard to adorn the track and make it shipshape for the IPL, but Delhi's temperatures now threaten to cast off this veil of normal.

Gambhir, Greg Shipperd, and Anil Kumble have taken turns to comment Kotla's surfaces, which is uneven. Even winning the toss and batting first, as Delhi found out against Kings XI a week back, is no guarantee of success. Delhi's indifferent top-order performances, criticized throughout the season, have to be in better form.