Gilli and V V S should open the batting for chargers.

Lets analyse why Gilli with VVS?

From the first 6 matches that Deccan played the only batsman who performed consistently are Gilli, Gibbs & Rohit Sharma. Others like smith and Sumanth have done well in a game or two.

So the batting as of now is overly dependent on Gilli and Gibbs performing at the top and Rohit doing the job in Middle order.

If we see the last couple matches played against Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils when Gilli & Gibbs wickets fell in early overs deccan struggled to post a winning total on board.

Now coming to why Gilli and V V S. V V S opened with Gilli in IPL 2008 in 4 Matches.

Here is V V S record as opener in IPL 2008

16 in 16 balls SR 100
37 in 26 balls SR 142.30
48 in 34 balls SR 141.17
52 in 44 balls SR 118.18

V V S performed well in 3 of 4 matches with a good srike rate.With V V S opening with Gilli whose in great form it will make a very good opening pair.

Rohit at No.3:

Rohit sharma is a class player who is best fit for no.3 position where he can take his time and place his innings perfectly and fire once he gets in. Rohit can go on to play a big innings fron there.
Rohit can run very well between the wickets and even if a wicket falls very early and with the oposition bowling well he can take the prussure off the team by running quick singles.

Gibbs at No. 4:

Gibbs is the perfect player at no. 4 as he has the capability to raise the tempo of the innings in no time. Gibbs has also shown he can play a responsible innings like the one he played against Chennai Super Kings in Durban. So gibbs can play both an agressor and as a calm and composed batsmen.

Gibbs also adds his great experience to the middle order and can act as a guiding force to all the young players like sumanth, raviteja, venu and others.

No.5

some one like Sumanth will be a good batsmen at No.5 where we have very few overs left in the game by the time he is in. Also looking at the way he played in the last match against Rajasthan Royals he looks a solid player who can take the charge when ever required in the innings.

No.6

The finisher job. A big one this and Smith seems to be the best bet with the way he is clearing the boundary with ease.

No.7

again someone who can clear the boundries with ease and also some one who can keep the strike rotating. Difficult one but the player needs lot of confidence from the team as he mostly will have very few balls to face and lot to do.

Venu/Azar/raviteja/others can be used here.

No.8 to No.11 will have the bowlers to follow.....

This is what i feel at this point as the best combination of players.

I wish Gilli, Darren, Laxman will play a great role in driving the team spirit and guiding the young players with all their experience and knowledge of the game.

Deccan Chargers has all it takes to be the Champion in IPL 2009.

Go Chargers Go...........