3rd Place Play-off: Deccan Chargers vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore
Saturday, April 24th, Mumbai

The two teams from the finals last year meet this season for the 3rd place play-off. Both are back from disheartening losses to the finalists, and would be looking to stretch this campaigns a little further by qualifying for the Champions League.

Young local players have been the key for these teams. Suman, Rohit Sharma, and Ojha have created names for themselves in the Deccan side, while Uthappa, Kohli are amongst the young Indian consistent shining stars for the Bangalore side, who also have the savvy campaigners – Dravid and Kumble.

However, for this match, each team would be looking at their top strikers to hit good form and carry the team to victory. The likes of big hitters like Kallis and Pietersen having a good day would be a scary thought for the Chargers, who lack any one big player who has played that well this year. Though Symonds has had somewhat of a better outing than others.

With the finals just a day after this match, and all the excitement in somewhat of a pause until then, the Mumbai crowds may not be as excited about this match. For the two teams though, its another story.

….and now for the astrological analysis!

Astrological Analysis:

The third place play-off of the 2010 edition of the IPL is taking place in Mumbai. The match will start at 8PM IST at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Stadium. The planetary alignment during these hours at this location is interesting. Libra lagna is rising at D.Y. Patil Stadium, Mumbai. The natal Moon of Leo is rising throughout during the match time. Other planets are Pluto and Rahu in the 3rd house, Jupiter and Neptune in the 5th house, Uranus in the 6th house, Sun and Mercury in the 7th and Venus in the 8th, Ketu in the 9th, Mars in the 10th, Moon in the 11th and Saturn is in the 12th house.

It is likely that at toss Deccan chargers may have slightly better luck, and try to bat first. The first 30 minutes should be interesting and may well decide the tone of the match. Although this match, it is nevertheless crucial, as the winning team would qualify for the Champions League.

Deccan Chargers:	Performance	.	Royal Challengers Bangalore:	Performance
Adam Gilchrist		.	Jacques Kallis
MD Mishra			Rahul Dravid
TL Suman			Kevin Pieterson
Rohit Sharma			Robin Uthappa
Andrew Symonds			Virat Kohli
Chaminda Vaas			MK Pandey
PP Ojha			Dale Steyn

Deccan Chargers:
The Deccan Chargers are led by their captain, Adam Gilchrist, who along with Hayden handed his team the victory last year, but both are underperforming this year. They have a host of other top performing players in their side too. The astrological horoscope analysis of the team members points to the following:
	Adam Gilchrist –Adam Gilchrist was born on November 14th, 1971. He has had a fantastic outing in the last season of the IPL. Gilchrist has struggled this year, with most of the local players in his team, outperforming him. With an average of less than 20, Gilchrist surely realizes this, but he probably wants his team to get to a flying start and hence the risks. Sure enough, he has an exceptional strike rate of 158! Gilchrist’s birth moon sign is Virgo. On the day of the match, the Moon transits the third house in his horoscope. This suggests that he may have a better outing than the previous games, but may yet be tempted by big shots. In cricket terms, he may have a flying start, but may fall just as quickly.
	Rohit Sharma – Rohit Sharma was born on April 30th 1987. An upcoming player, he has been the cornerstone of Deccan’s batting this year. He is the only player in the Deccan side along with Symonds to have made more than 400 runs in this tournament. His dismal performance in the last match should push him to be more focused in this match. On the day of the match, he faces the natal moon of his birth during the hours of the match. This means there is a likelyhood of him playing well, and contributing to the team score. It should not be a surprise if he is the top or second highest scorer from his side. Additionally, this planetary alignment in his horoscope, should lead him to deliver an all-round performance, and he may make some good saves in the field, and potentially taking a catch or two.
	Andrew Symonds –Born on June 9, 1975, Symonds has been more infamous than famous in India, mostly to do with his clash with Harbhajan Singh. Symonds has been the top run getter for the Deccan Chargers. Symonds is one of the few players who has used a Mongoose bat this season. And he has hurled sixes and somewhat justified why he was the second most expensive player in the IPL. He is an excellent all rounder and has done well for Australia and his IPL team in the past. His birth ascendant is Virgo. On the day of the match, the moon transits the 7th house in his horoscope. Symonds is likely to excel in big-hitting if his team is in a comfortable position when he comes into bat, and may have an above average outing even otherwise. He is likely to deliver a good bowling performance as well, potentially picking up multiple wickets.
	Pragyan Ojha – Born on September 5th 1986, Ojha has had the tournament of his life this year. On spinner friendly pitches, he has left the greats behind to become the leading wicket taker in the tournament so far. At a strike rate of 15.3, his contribution becomes easier to comprehend. Ojha’s stars favour him as well. Due to the favourable dasha and sub-dasha, Ojha will be able to deliver a spirited performance again. However, there is a likelyhood that he may not live up to his own expectations in this match.
	RP Singh -He is born on 6th Dec, 1985 in the Libra Lagna of Leo Moon sign. RP Singh will experience a mediocre IPL this time. Sure enough, while he has grabbed some wickets, he has been very expensive with an (un)economy rate of nearly 9! His current dasha of Rahu and sub period of the same planet will not help him much beyond the normal, but in his bowling spell he still will be able to deliver a par performance.
	TL Suman -Born of September 15th 1983, TL Suman is an opening batsman for his Ranji team (Andhra Pradesh) and typically goes one down for his IPL team – Deccan Chargers. Suman has had a memorable IPL this year. He is the third highest scorer in the Deccan team, beating the likes of Gibbs, and Gilchrist. Suman’s moon sign is Scorpio, and on the day of the match, his horoscope indicates that luck should shine on him. He should play patiently in the match, and may his luck may result in some easy balls thrown at him to be put away to the boundary.
	Chaminda Vaas -Born on January 27th 1974 in Mattumagala in Sri Lanka, Vaas is a seasoned campaigner. His IPL 2010 season has been somewhat spectacular, even though he has played in only 6 matches. With an economy of 6.31, Vaas has the second best economy rate in this tournament for anyone who has bowled atleast 10 overs. His horoscope on the day of the match indicates that he would be eager to play in this match. He is likely to deliver key wickets through his bowling, though he may not be as economical as he has been in previous matches.

Royal Challengers Bangalore:
The Royal Challengers Bangalore is led by their captain, Anil Kumble. Their other main players for this match are Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, Dale Steyn, and Virat Kohli. The astrological horoscope analysis of the team members points to the following:
	Anil Kumble -Anil Kumble was born on 17th of October 1970 at Bangalore, Karnataka. Though retired from the Indian team, Kumble has hardly lost his magic. Using his vast experience, he is miserly about giving runs on his bowling. Though he has not been as successful in getting wickets this time round, amongst bowlers in this IPL season, who have atleast bowled 30 overs, Kumble has the third best economy rate of 6.53. On the evening of the match, his horoscope predicts an exceptional fighting spirit. We could probably see Kumble trying his level best, even while batting!
	Dale Steyn -Dale Steyn was born on 27 June 1983 in South Africa. He is a right-arm fast bowler, and bowls at speeds of around 145-150 km/h. After a wayward start to this season, Steyn has performed remarkably, and is jointly tied at the 7th position in the leading wicket takers this IPL season. On the day of the match, Steyn may bowl inconsistently – bowling some beauties, as well as some freebies for the batsmen.
	Jacques Kallis -Jacques Henry Kallis was born on 16 October 1975 in South Africa. As an all-rounder he is a talented right-handed batsman and fast-medium swing bowler. He is the only cricketer in the history of the game to hold more than 10,000 runs and 250 wickets in both one day and Test match. This IPL season, he and Tendulkar have both proved that even the T20 game respects experience. Sure enough, he is only 19 runs behind Tendulkar in the leading run getters in this season of the IPL. Kallis is born in the Aquarius Moon sign. On the evening of the match, he faces 6th Moon while batting. He is likely to deliver a better performance than earlier and may score a half century, if he can survive the first 20 minutes of the match.
	Kevin Pietersen -Kevin Pietersen was born on 27 June 1980 in South Africa. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional off spin bowler for England. Piterson came in late to this season of the IPL, but has contributed in nearly all of his matches. He has a spectacular batting average this IPL season (51.75) at an awesome strike rate of 152. Pietersen has good planetary combinations in his horoscope. He is born in the Scorpio Moon and Virgo ascendant. The planet Venus is in the 9th house, Sun in the 10th house, Mercury in the 11th, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn are in the 12th house. On the evening of match, he is likely to perform a key role for the Bangalore team. A good performance by him may well decide the fate of his team.
	Rahul Dravid -Rahul Dravid is born on 11 January 1973, therefore he is ruled by number 2 and the Moon. Bring number 2 he is highly intelligent, courageous, imaginative, honest, simple and warm-hearted person. He will possess noble thoughts and never desires evil of others. He is highly dedicated and sincere towards his work. He is always in high sprit against challenges. Match loving people always appreciate his straightforwardness. This IPL he has had some contributions for his team. On the evening of the match, he has the birth moon in his horoscope chart. He should hence, have a better showing than earlier.
	Virat Kohli -We earlier predicted that during this IPL season, Virat Kohli will get a chance to prove his potential in the shortest version of the game, thanks to the planetary support he will have. Transiting Jupiter trine Sun will help him score good runs and hit the early over's for big knocks. Uranus and Venus in Pisces will boost his fortune during the IPL matches in the month of March. Kohli will prove to be a dependable team member for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He stands at an average of 28 and an impressive strike rate of 145 currently. On the evening of this match, he will face 9th Moon during this match session. He will hence, have an average outing.
	Robin Uthappa -Robin Uthappa has had another great tournament, and must be increasingly feeling he deserves a spot in the Indian side. He has a tough competitor in the form of Rohit Sharma, who also has a similar average of 31 in this IPL. The difference is at the rate he has been scoring his runs. Uthappa has scored 374 runs in this tournament, at the lightening strike rate of 172! He alone has hit 27 sixes in this tournament, outclassing known big-hitters like Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, and Pollard! For the third place play-off between the Deccan Chargers and the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Uthappa will again be a key player. He faces the 10th moon during match hours. He should have an average outing in this match, hitting sixes but getting out without scoring more than 30 runs or so.