Although defending champions Chennai Super Kings are a formidable force at home, Deccan Chargers can topple them if they combine their batting and bowling units effectively, feels the Chargers vice-captain Cameron White.
White said he was positive that the Deccan Chargers could pull off an upset win against the men in yellow when they face them in a crucial tie at the M A Chidambaram stadium on Sunday.
"We haven't won two games in a row but on Sunday is a good opportunity to do that. We won against Kochi the other day and hopefully, we can start to go on a bit of a run," said the Aussie all-rounder.
"Our captain (Kumar Sangakkara) is playing beautifully at the moment. Sunny Sohal has done well, (Bharat) Chipli has also done quite well. I think our bowling unit has been generally very good and if we combine our batting and bowling we're a pretty good side and a tough team to beat," he added.
White also said that Chargers are a good bowling unit and they can pose a tough threat to Chennai.
"We have a good attack of pace and spin. We have Indian bowlers who know the conditions and of course Dale Steyn, one of the best fast bowlers in the world. Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha will provide variety."
A victory over M S Dhoni's men - who are unbeaten at home - will put the Deccan outfit level on points with the defending champions.
"Obviously, every game is very important now. Everyone's beating everyone out there. No one's really slipping away at the top of the table. If we win tomorrow it will be our fourth win and we'll be pretty close to those top four positions.
"But Chennai are a very good side and this is their home ground. We should put things in place so that we can get the right result."
Asked what's tough about playing Chennai at home, he said, "Well, they're obviously a very good side and have a very good captain. And combining that with probably knowing the conditions very well and playing them very well," said White.
Lauding Deccan's leggie Amit Mishra, who with nine wickets is among the top bowlers in this season, White said, "Mishra's been outstanding, probably one of the best bowlers in the competition. He's right there among the top wicket-takers. He's probably our best bowler."
He also heaped praise on Ishant Sharma, who bagged five for 12 in the previous game against Kochi Tuskers Kerala to steer Deccan Chargers to 55-run victory.
"And in the last game when the conditions suited bowling, Ishant (Sharma) showed how good a bowler he is."
With the Chepauk pitch traditionally aiding spinners, White said it was an advantage to have two of the three best Indian spinners in the team.
"Mishra and (Pragyan) Ojha are bowling beautifully at the moment. They give us a lot of options on alternating them with pace at one end or bowling them in tandem."
White said the wicket "looks pretty good across the 40 overs" and suggested it wouldn't matter if a side lost the toss.
"Obviously it's Kumar's decision (over the toss) but it looks pretty good and you can chase or you can set up the target and win the game. I am not sure it's that important what you do first, you've got to do it well," said White.
On his own performance, which has been below-par so far, White said, "I got into my 30s and got myself out a couple of games so if I get some runs and hit a bit of form I'll be ok."
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