For a good story, sub-plots are as important as the main plot. For, it is the sub-plot that keeps the spectators or audiences hooked through the entire length of the story and lets the main plot make an impact. On Saturday, IPl fans will witness one such contest that has a couple of interesting sub-plots to it.
Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals face each other for the first time this season at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground here on Saturday. In general, there isn't any history of rivalry between the two teams to provide this plot any edge. But the presence of two traditional foes and two old friends — the sub-plots in this contest — certainly does.
Daredevils skipper Kevin Pietersen and Royals skipper Shane Watson share a traditional rivalry since their respective nations — England and Australia — battle for supremacy in the Ashes series biennially. Though IPl is a different set up altogether, their personalities are going to provide a compelling duel between the two mercurial cricketers.
Supporting them would be two old friends Gary Kirsten and Paddy Upton, who worked together to help India win ODI World Cup and become world No 1 Test team in the past. Kirsten took over coaching role at Daredevils this year and started with a clean slate as he, along with the team management, decided not to retain any of the players from last year when they finished at the bottom of the points table.
However, Upton's Royals retained the core group and also Rahul Dravid, their last year's captain, as mentor. If Upton has Dravid, Kirsten has another old friend in his team — Eric Simmons, who was India's bowling coach during Kirsten's tenure as India's coach.
Home advantage
Though Royals, comparatively, looked more settled as a team and had more success than Daredevils in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Indian leg of the IPl is going to be more challenging for the side. Over the years, one of Rajasthan's biggest strengths has been their ability to cash on the home advantage. They have turned the Sawai Man Singh stadium in Jaipur into a virtual fortress.
But this year, Rajasthan have been deprived of the home advantage as their home games have been shifted to Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad. Now, with no home advantage to fall back on, Rajasthan Royals will have to step out of their comfort zone and win away games. And that challenge starts on Saturday.
For Daredevils, who are looking to find a momentum, it's a good opportunity landed at their doorstep at the right moment. With four points from five matches, they are tied with three other teams and with their next four games scheduled to be held at their home ground, Daredevils have a golden chance to climb the rungs.
"You try and win as many matches on your home ground. You even pick your team at the auction thinking your best chance will be winning at home," Daredevils vice-captain Dinesh Karthik said on the eve of the match after an optional practice session at the Palam cricket ground here on Friday.
"It is a very crucial phase of the tournament. If we can win a few games from here on and get some momentum going, that will be really good," he added.
In the context of the tournament, the UAE leg is now a history. The failure and success in the second leg will determine their progress. Therefore, both the teams will look to start the Indian leg with a win and in the process, the Kirsten-Upton friendship is likely to take a backseat and Pietersen-Watson rivalry may become the guiding force.