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Cape Town: Neither team had a campaign to remember last year, but here's an opportunity for both Kolkata Knight Riders and Deccan Chargers to begin afresh and improve significantly on what they did in 2008.
Kolkata after their flying start and flat finish in the inaugural edition, a 'change' is what the doctor would have ordered, and Brendon McCullum leading the Knights onto the Newlands here on Sunday will mark an essential shift in the team's approach to the competition.
McCullum himself could well provide the change in flavour by giving the start that he so brilliantly did last season with a blistering century against the Royal Challengers on the inaugural day.
The Kiwi is in great touch with the bat as the visiting Indians discovered during the tour that ended earlier this month, and also made a few smart moves behind the stumps.
Gibbs is coming off a spanking century and an 82 in the last two ODIs against Australia, and the fact that those runs came in similar conditions makes him the best bet for Deccan.
McCullum was in outstanding form during the series against India, while Gayle carted it around as well in the recent series against England. Mendis wasn't so effective against India, while Ishant Sharma was below par against New Zealand.
Ganguly, in the unaccustomed position of playing second fiddle in a KKR match, will want to free himself of negative thoughts for some lusty hitting which he is still capable of producing. There is Aussie Brad Hodge and the destructive potential of Chris Gayle.
Adam Gilchrist hasn't played any competitive cricket for more than a year - he retired after India's tour of Australia early last year. With him opening the batting, keeping wicket, and leading the team, much will depend on how ready he is for battle.
Ishant Sharma v Gilchrist & Gibbs: Ishant was a more than handful for the Australians on their bouncy pitches last year, and in helpful conditions, he could pose plenty of questions for Deccan's openers. Equally, neither Gilchrist nor Gibbs will take a backward step, especially in this format, which could make for a spicy contest.
Match facts
Sunday April 19, 2009
Start time 4:30pm local (14:30 GMT), 8:00 pm India
