IPL CRICKET MATCH 2010 THRILLERS 10

THRILLER '10

ROACH ADDS TEETH TO CHARGERS

STRENGTHS: Deccan Chargers have always boasted of a strong batting line-up, but the acquisition of pacer Kemar Roach, lends them a more balanced look. With the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Gibbs, Symonds, Rohit Sharma, VVS Laxman and Venugopal Rao, it's a virtual batting powerhouse. Roach will take over the wrecker-in-chief duties from Fidel Edwards. Ryan Harris has been consistent down Under.

WEAKNESS: The defending champions have the tendency to get carried away: win or lose. The first edition probably happened too fast for comfort but having identified at the very beginning that the first six overs are very crucial in T20, they hardly got anything right. To their credit, though, they got most all things right in south Africa. The moot point is whether their varied attack can contain reval batsmen on batting-friendly pitches. gilchrist will also have some weary legs to hide in the outfield.

OPPORTUNITIES: This could well be the chance for Chargers to show that they ae a force to reckon with in all conditions. They are yet to win a match at Hyderabad. But that will not happen this edition as their home matches have been distributed between Mumbai, Cuttack and Nagpur.

THREATS: Complacency. They have transformed from being whipping boys to champions. How well the young turks have learned their lessons and how well Gilchrist marshals his resources remains to be seen.

2008: Finished 8th; 2009: Champions