With 12th man Delhi, we’re set to rock Mumbai

Delhi vs Mumbai: It doesn’t get bigger than this in domestic cricket, or more intense. Or more exciting, more competitive, and even, more fun. This is Indian cricket’s traditional rivalry and because Mumbai have won so often in the Ranji Trophy, we’re hoping to even things out in the IPL.

Delhi vs Mumbai: It doesn’t get bigger than this in domestic cricket, or more intense. Or more exciting, more competitive, and even, more fun. This is Indian cricket’s traditional rivalry and because Mumbai have won so often in the Ranji Trophy, we’re hoping to even things out in the IPL.

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As a Delhi player in every avatar of the game, I can tell you that we always want to beat Mumbai.

Wherever we play, whatever the competition, if we’re facing off against Mumbai, then we stand a little taller, walk a little brisker, focus a little more and send up a prayer that we’ll get these guys — we really raise the bar.

So all us, those of us Delhiites all our lives, and those of us Delhiites by way of adoption into the Daredevils family, are looking forward to the game.

But it definitely won’t be easy. Mumbai have a very good team and would be feeling good about themselves after beating the Royals and especially after weathering Yusuf Pathan’s onslaught.

But we’re feeling good too, winning two out of two and hopefully, we’re going to continue in that vein in what is our first home game.

It is an advantage, knowing the track better than the opposition. We’ve played a couple of practice games on the new wicket and have a very good idea of what a par score here is.

It’s always going to be tougher for the opposition. The ball doesn’t really come onto the bat and we’re a little surer about what to score and how to defend that score. It helps.

Having said that, we’ll be hoping that Viru takes off again, just like he did in Ahmedabad, and Dilshan comes good too.

In case anyone’s wondering, I have full faith in him. We want both of them to go out and play their natural game, with absolute freedom. They are both match-winners and as captain, I’m lucky to have them around.

We’re also really looking forward to playing at the Kotla because in both the away games so far, we’ve not had much crowd support.

If the Delhi crowd gets behind us, which I’m sure it will, it’s like having a larger-than-life 12th man and it really lifts the collective spirit of the team. We’re glad to be home.