Tendulkar-Sehwag rivalry promises interesting fare

Virender Sehwag has often hailed Sachin Tendulkar as the reason behind his cricketing pursuit. Both have heaped praise on each other as India teammates, but on Saturday they will keep their friendship aside and cross swords against each other when Mumbai Indians take on Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at Wankhede Stadium.

There is a battle within the battle going on between the two cricketers. Tendulkar triumphed in the Mumbai Indians' first match of the season at the Feroz Shah Kotla, getting Sehwag run out for 19 runs. Mumbai Indians won convincingly by eight wickets. But in the last few weeks, Sehwag seems to have regained his lost touch. His blitzkrieg 56-ball 119-run knock against Deccan Chargers on Thursday was proof enough.

Sehwag's pyrotechnics also earned him the Orange Cap, boosting his aggregate to an impressive 422. But Tendulkar (351 runs) would be eager to snatch it back from Sehwag when the game gets underway at the Wankhede.

The battle between the two great batsmen will provide  a fascinating sub-plot to the big clash on Saturday. Mumbai camp is well aware of the importance of dismissing Sehwag early. "Everyone knows his (Sehwag) wicket will be very crucial. It will be important to get him out early. We hope to keep him quiet at least," said in-form batsman Ambati Rayudu on Friday.

Sehwag remains central to Delhi's slim hopes of earning one of the four berths for the play-offs.  Rayudu, however, chose not to reveal much about MI's plan to tackle Sehwag. "It's for the coaching staff to make plans (against him)," he said. Rayudu said they did not focus too much on Sehwag's last knock of 119 runs. "We are focusing on what we want to do.

We are not looking at the opposition too much. We are sticking to the basics and our game plan," he added.  Delhi and Mumbai are faced with varied tasks going into the match, though. Delhi need a victory to stay in the reckoning while one more win will more or less ensure Mumbai's berth in the play-offs.

IPL Head-to-Head:  Mumbai 4, Delhi 3

May 4, 2008: Mumbai won by 29 runs.

May 24, 2008: Delhi won by five wickets.

May 8, 2009: Delhi won by seven wickets.

May 21, 2009: Delhi won by four wickets.

Mar 17, 2010: Mumbai won by 98 runs.

Apr 13, 2010: Mumbai won by 39 runs.

April 10, 2011: Mumbai won by eight wickets.

Their Run of scores

Here is Sachin Tendulkar's run sequence in IPL IV:

Match 1 vs Delhi Daredevils: 46 not out (in 50 balls)

Match 2 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore: 55 not out (46)

Match 3  vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala: 100 not out (66)

Match 4 vs Pune Warriors: 35 (39)

Match 5 vs Chennai Super Kings: 5 (8)

Match 6 vs Deccan Chargers: 28 (24)

Match 7 vs Rajasthan Royals: 7 (7)

Match 8 vs Kings XI Punjab: 51 (45)

Match 9 vs Pune Warriors: 24 (24)

Total: 351 runs in nine matches Average: 58.50

Here is Virender Sehwag's run sequence in IPL 4:

Match 1 vs Mumbai Indians: 19 (in 16 balls)

Match 2 vs Rajasthan Royals: 4 (2)

Match 3 vs Pune Warriors: 37(23)

Match 4 vs Deccan Chargers: 12(7)

Match 5 vs Kings XI Punjab: 77(35)

Match 6 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore: 25(18)

Match 7 vs Kolkata Knight Riders: 34(23)

Match 8 vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala: 80(47)

Match 9 vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala: 15(9)

Match 10 vs Deccan Chargers: 119(56)

Total: 422 runs in 10 matches. Average: 42.20