Eden Gardens is no longer the paradise it used to be. The Deccan Chargers can vouch for it after being ambushed on a dustbowl against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. The strong batting line-up succumbed to the underprepared track.

Smarting under the loss, the Chargers are leaving no stone unturned in their attempt to regain momentum when they take on Delhi Daredevils at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Tuesday.

What has been heartening for the Chargers’ fans is the way their team fought back to defend the smallish total.

The bowlers did a tremendous job and but for David Hussey’s bold hitting, the result could have been different. The lush green outfield with an even paced track is the perfect antidote to drive away the first match blues.. “It will be a true wicket and batsman-friendly,” curator Ricky Aitken said. “Runs will not be a premium,” he said.

The Chargers are looking forward to make the most of the curator’s prediction as they have in their arsenal one of the most awesome batting line-ups in the IPL.

The talismanic presence of Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi, who is expected to land in the city shortly, will lend depth and more striking power to the Chargers’ attack. Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds and Afridi are a formidable combination. The Daredevils will have to come up with some thing extraordinary to stop these marauding men from running away with the match.

The hosts are waiting for Afridi’s arrival and will sort out the playing XI on the morrow.

The Daredevils too will have the services of Pakistani duo Shoaib Malik and Mohammed Asif. “They will be coming tonight and will be in contention for a spot in the playing XI,” said team manager T.A. Sekhar.

After excelling in all departments of the game in their previous match against Rajasthan Royals, Daredevils will be looking to their potent bowling attack to dent the Chargers’ assault.

The wily Glenn McGrath, who was impressive in the last game, will have a battle on hand when he squares up against Gilchrist. Though the Pigeon is a stingy customer, Gilchrist is known to take any bowler to the cleaners.

The Dardevils have a good batting line-up with southpaws Gautam Gambhir and Shikar Dhawan in great form. But they will face their first real challenge as veteran Chaminda Vaas spearheads the hosts’ attack.

The Sri Lankan proved quite a handful for the Knight Riders and would be eager to carry on the good work. And with R.P. Singh proving his worth, Daredevils have a fight on hand.

The left-arm seamers will be fancying their chances against dangerman and skipper Virender Sehwag.

The nawab of Najafgarh is a tricky customer in any form of the game as he showed at the recently held Test series.

• Deccan  Chargers           http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/deccan_chargers
• Kolkata Knight Riders   http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/Kolkata_Knight_Riders
• Kings XI Punjab              http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/KingsXI_Punjab
• Rajastan Royals             http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rajasthan_Royals