Tendulkar and Sehwag face off at last

New Delhi  The two giants of Indian batting, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, square off against each other here today in what is being billed as one of the most awaited games of the IPL.

As Delhi eyes a hat-trick of wins and Mumbai aims to make it two out of two, the contest promises to be a riveting affair. Delhi have won both their games comprehensively, while Mumbai survived a rampaging Yousuf Pathan in their opening tie.

While it's too early in the tournament to predict anything, one gets the feeling that Delhi and Mumbai are all set to make it to the last four stage.

The two teams have a sense of assurance even though both are guilty of handing over the momentum to the opposition midway through the game.

Today's game will be a test in momentum management.

The Mumbai Indians' opening game against Rajasthan Royals proved that local talent will be the key in this edition of IPL.

Ambati Rayadu, Suarabh Tiwary and Rajagopal Sathish are already in fine nick. Rajasthan's bowling did not trouble them much and Mumbai will hope that these players can repeat the feat against a much experience and incisive Delhi attack.

While the batting looked solid, the bowling was a matter of concern. They had no answer against the onslaught from Pathan and will have to pull up their socks before they face Virender Sehwag.

No good news

The injury to Harbhajan Singh is not good news for Mumbai and skipper Tendulkar will be hoping that he regains full fitness by Wednesday.

On the other hand, the Daredevils are looking to break their semi-final jinx and have among the most balanced and strong side this season.

Gambhir and Sehwag have already had a good run with the bat, with the latter coming up with a match-winning innings of 75 against Rajasthan Royals on Monday.

The Delhi bowlers are in a peak of form with Dirk Nannes leading the way and while Farveez Maharoof went for runs in the previous game, he does have the knack of picking up wickets at crucial times.

scoreboard

Delhi Daredevils vs Rajasthan Royals match

Rajasthan Royals

S Asnodkar c Dilshan b Nannes 5

G Smith c Sehwag b Sangwan 18

Naman Ojha b Mishra 24

Yusuf Pathan c de Villiers b Maharoof 0

Abhishek Jhunjhunwala not out 53

P Dogra run out (Gambhir/Mishra) 29

D Mascarenhas run out (Mishra/Karthik) 3

Amit Uniyal not out 4

Extras (w 5) 5

Total (for six wickets in 20 overs) 141

Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Asnodkar, 1.2 overs), 2-45 (Ojha, 4.5), 3-46

(Pathan, 5.5), 4-50 (Smith, 8.1), 5-110 (Dogra, 16.2), 6-115

(Mascarenhas, 17.1)

Bowling: Maharoof 4-0-32-1

Nannes 4-0-27-1

Mishra 4-0-34-1

Sangwan 4-0-20-1

Ladda 4-0-28-0

Delhi Daredevils

G Gambhir c Smith b Mascarenhas 9

Virender Sehwag c Smith b Patel 75

T Dilshan c Ojha b Mascarenhas 0

de Villiers c sub (FY Fazal) b Warne 15

Dinesh Karthik not out 23

Mithun Manhas not out 11

Extras (b 1, lb 3, w 5) 9

Total (for four wickets in 17.1 overs) 142

Fall of wickets: 1-42 (Gambhir, 3.3 overs), 2-42 (Dilshan, 3.4), 3-99

(Sehwag, 9.6), 4-114 (de Villiers, 12.3)

Bowling:

Dimitri Mascarenhas 4-0-31-2

Shaun Tait 4-0-26-0

Munaf Patel 3-0-32-1

Amit Uniyal 2-0-25-0

Shane Warne 4-0-22-1

Abhishek Jhunjhunwala 0.1-0-2-0

Results: Delhi Daredevils won by six wickets

Player of the match: Virender Sehwag (Daredevils)

SCHEDULE

Today

6.30pm: Delhi Daredevils vs Mumbai Indians.

Live telecast on Cricone.