For the visiting Kings XI Punjab, who are playing Delhi Daredevils on Tuesday here at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, the biggest question is how to stop Virender Sehwag.
“Can you give us a hintIJ," asked Kings XI Punjab coach Darren lehmann in return to a question about the strategy his team would adopt to stop Sehwag in Tuesday’s encounter.
Sehwag, who played a superb innings against Mumbai Indians on Sunday to help Daredevils post their first win in the tournament, left enough hints about his return to form on his way to a 57-ball 95-run innings.
"When he is on he is on. That is the way he plays," lehmann said at the pre-match press meet at the in the Capital here on Monday.
“He has been a great player for India and Delhi Daredevils over the years. We have got certain plans but at the end of the day if he is on he can take the game away; it is just as simple as that. It's good to watch from afar, so hopefully it doesn't happen tomorrow night. But it is good to see him, and it is great for the tournament when he plays the way he plays, but for us it is a case of trying to keep him down tomorrow night," he added.
Punjab too have a player in their side who can make a similar impact — skipper Adam Gilchrist. But the left-hander hasn't been scoring runs this season.
“We would like him to get a lot more runs, there is no doubt about that. But he brings a lot more to the team. He leads brilliantly on the ground as well as outside and he still keeps really well (although he dropped a catch last night). We will make sure that we will pick the right side. Adam is our captain and he has done a very good job for us in the tournament. So yes we would like more runs from him, he would like more runs (from himself)," lehmann said.
Although Kings XI made a a brilliant comeback from behind to beat Pune Warriors but lehmann still wasn't sure if they have found their best combination. "Delhi has a different wicket as compared to Mohali. I think we will probably have to change our game. It is just the way it is in the competition, some of the wickets are different in the way they play. Daredevils are a very good side at home and obviously they're coming off their first win (which will have given them confidence). They played really well against Mumbai Indians. Every game is tough in this competition. But the combination was good for us on Sunday night,” he said.