Points blank,Delhi look to fire

On Sunday,however,the Warriors might,for the first time,come up against a team that boasts similar firepower. The Delhi Daredevils may have lost both their games so far,but the hitherto dormant threat of their seam attack might just rouse itself when introduced to the trampoline-ish Navi Mumbai surface.

The pacy,6’6’ Morne Morkel,probably the most awkward bowler in the world to face in bouncy conditions,will certainly enjoy the conditions,especially against the left-handers,a species that he particularly loves to torment with his angle,lift and movement off the deck.

And Pune have three in their first-choice top four-Jesse Ryder,Graeme Smith (if fit) and Yuvraj Singh.

Umesh may get a look-in

When the Daredevils practiced on the eve of the game,Umesh Yadav,one of the few Indian seamers to consistently clock speeds in the 140s,got plenty of deliveries to rear at his teammates’ helmets and,when they ducked,threaten to breach the rear wall of the nets. The Vidarbha pacer has played only once and bowled just two overs in the tournament so far,but his coach Greg Shipperd suggested that he would play a role against Pune.

“We didn’t play him against Rajasthan because we thought the conditions might not suit him,but Umesh comes back into contention on this wicket,” he said. Shipperd added that left-armer Irfan Pathan might also find the conditions to his liking,with swing on evidence in both the matches played here so far.

Saturday’s training also saw Varun Aaron,the Jharkhand quickie who touched 153kph during the Deodhar Trophy final,go through a brief bowling session. He might not have gone full throttle,but his mere presence was notable since a thigh strain sustained during a recent practice game had put his IPL participation in doubt.

Aaron is unlikely to hurtle in and let loose at Pune,but is getting close to match fitness,according to Shipperd. “He’s recovering much quicker than we thought he would,” he said.