Daredevils look to avoid complacency against Rajasthan

New Delhi, April 28 (IANS) Table toppers Delhi Daredevils, who are on a magic run, will look to avoid complacency when they take on Rajasthan Royals in their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the Ferozeshah Kotla here Sunday.

The Daredevils notched their sixth victory in the tournament with a thumping 37-run win over pre-tournament favourites Mumbai Indians here Friday night. They went three points clear of the second placed Kolkata Knight Riders, the largest lead a team has held this season.

Skipper Virender Sehwag has been in sublime touch, scoring 309 runs with an average of 44.14. He became only the third batsman in the IPL to notch three consecutive fifties after his swashbuckling innings of 73 off 39 balls Friday. Englishman Kevin Pietersen too has hit top form with a half century and an unbeaten hundred to his name.

However, the Daredevils will have to battle complacency as Rajasthan too have done well this season. Opener Ajinkya Rahane is the top run getter in the tournament at 329 runs with an average of 47.42. He has got ample support from the under-rated Owais Shah of England, who has been a key member of Rajasthan's success.

West Indian Kevon Cooper has been a revelation for Rajasthan taking 10 wickets at an average of 15.50.

Daredevils, on the other hand, will look to their South African pacer Morne Morkel to contain the Rajasthan batsmen. The tall lanky bowler is the purple cap holder with a haul of 17 wickets at the economy rate of just seven.

Young left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem has been the surprise package for Daredevils, taking eight wickets with an incredible economy rate of 6.34.

After their shambolic performance last year where they finished last, Delhi have added some much-needed firepower to their batting line-ip with the likes of Pietersen, Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene and New Zealand captain Ross Taylor.