Delhi vs Chennai: case of the missing skippers

New Delhi: It's a case of the missing skippers as Chennai travel to the Feroze Shah Kotla sans MS Dhoni and Delhi look to bounce back and defend their citadel minus Gautam Gambhir.

Chennai arrive on the back of a strong win against Kolkata at the Eden Gardens, while Delhi will be licking their wounds after a huge defeat to Mumbai on Wednesday. However, Dhoni's unavailability is a bigger blow than Gambhir's. Virender Sehwag is expected to lead the side and his skills and experience will give him a definite edge over Chennai's stand-in skipper Suresh Raina, who himself has been in scracthy form.

Chennai have much to worry about. Not only has Dhoni been their best bet with the bat in the last two games, it was his inspired captaincy that helped them bounce back in the game against Kolkata after their opening game loss to Deccan. Chennai minus Dhoni are just not the outfit that look ominous enough to threaten the opposition.

The form of Mathew Hayden is a cause of concern and Chennai could look to field George Bailey in his place in Friday's game. Dhoni's injury also means that Parthiv Patel will have a crucial role to play. He has had a good run in the domestic season and could see himself open the innings as well apart from keeping wickets. Hayden and Patel have been a good combination in the past and if the two repeat the magic against Delhi, Murali Vijay could face the axe in the subsequent game.

The bowlers of the yellow brigade came good in the last game and Albie Morkel finally found his rhythm. R Ashwin and Justin Kemp have also done a creditable job and will be expected to play an important role in Friday's game.

For Delhi, who won their first two games, Friday's match is a matter of pride. Semifinalists in the previous two editions, Delhi cannot afford to lose two straight games at home. Even though Gambhir has been their best batsman so far, Sehwag too has middled the ball with elan. And Friday's game is just the right time for AB de Villiers and Tilakaratne Dilshan to come to the party.

Delhi's bowlers were left in tatters by the Mumbai batsmen on Wednesday and it would have sounded an alarm to the team management who have been taking a one-track strategy of winning the toss and electing to bowl. Delhi will have to take the bull by the horns and bat first if they win the toss on Friday. Chennai minus Dhoni are a vulnerable side and Delhi must capitalise on it.