The Deccan Chargers were caught unawares on a brute of a wicket at the Eden Gardens in their match against the Kolkat Knight Riders on Sunday. Batting first, the Chargers were left clueless as the wicket began to play tricks from the start itself.

One man who would have been quite handy for the Chargers is Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi. Not only is he a big hitter of the ball but Afridi is also a match winning bowler. On such a track, he would have proved more than a handful for Knight Riders.

Come Tuesday, it will be boom boom time as the flamboyant all-rounder takes the field against Delhi Daredevils at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Afridi, who missed the first match against Knight Riders because of his commitment with the Pakistan team, is gearing up for the challenge. “I am keen to play in the second match,” Afridi had said in Karachi on Saturday.

Afridi said he had watched the match between Bangalore Royal Challengers and Kolkata Knight Riders and the concept had already excited him. “I am looking forward to play in the IPL because it is something new and getting to play alongside the best players in the world is going to be a unique experience,” he said.

The Deccan Chargers’ supporters are in for a real treat as the explosive Afridi is one player who can change the complexion of a game within no time. His aggressive and attack oriented style of batting has earned him the nickname “Boom Boom Afridi” for the fastest ODI century in just 37 balls.

In international cricket, Afridi is the maddest of all Mad Maxes. Known for his big hitting, Afridi hits many sixes long and high, favouring the path straight down the ground or over midwicket. A trademark shot is a crossbatted flick to the leg-side to a ball outside off stump. He has struck a whopping 501 fours and 247 sixes in 258 ODIs. In Twenty20 cricket, Afridi has sent the ball to the ropes 14 times and eight over them in 10 matches. And on Tuesday, the Chargers will hope that Afridi does some serious damage to the morale of the Daredevils.

Glenn McGrath, Farveez Maharoof, Brett Geeves, Rajat Bhatia and Daniel Vettori will be left scratching their heads when ‘The Beast’ tears into their attack. With Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds and Afridi in a top-class batting line-up, the visitors will have to come up with something special to contain this formidable trio.

If one thinks that the Delhi bowlers will be the only ones at the receiving end of Afridi’s assault, they are in for a surprise.

The 28-year-old Afridi is a competent bowler too. His stock ball is the leg break, but his armoury also includes the conventional off break and a ‘quicker one’ which he can deliver at nearly 80 mph in the style of a medium pacer. He bowls at a high speed for a spin ner, resulting in lesser turn, and relying more on variations in speed. In the 2007 World Twenty20 he performed poorly with the bat but brilliantly with the ball to earn the Man of the Series award.

After Shoaib Akhtar’s non-availability because of the PCB ban, Afridi is clearly Pakistan’s biggest draw in the IPL. “I think the IPL not only augurs well for players as far as earning money is concerned but is also an ideal platform to learn a lot and improve skills,” he said.

Afridi is also happy to play under the captaincy of VVS Laxman. He said he had a lot of regard and respect for the cricketing abilities of Laxman. “In the past we have played against each other. Now I would love to perform under him for the team.” With Afridi making his intentions clear, the Delhi Daredevils are in for some trouble on the morrow.

• 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