With two wins in seven games, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) desperately need a win. The points table might say that they can afford another loss but the mindset of their loss says otherwise.
A heist by their openers against the Kings XI Punjab promised that a strong comeback was imminent, but another slump followed.
It’s Chennai’s batters who have faltered, sometimes a slow start, other times, a fizzle at the end. And their task isn’t going to get any easier against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who boast a strong bowling lineup.
Time and again, many have questioned the CSK batters for not showing intent. In simpler words, they have played as if they don’t want to chase down the target at all.
SRH have just one more victory than CSK in the same number of games, but they would still walk in the game exponentially more confident.
Their openers have started to click, Manish Pandey and Kane Williamson have been brilliant, and the youngsters have done well to help the team. In their bowling department, Rashid Khan has been a treat to watch, T Natarajan has taken the IPL by storm, and the other bowlers have contributed to. Their worries for the most part was their batting department, but they have started to get their mojo back.
MS Dhoni’s Chennai are fighting a different fight. More than the two points, it is about the franchisee itself, it is about their respect, and it is about what they stand for in the IPL.
Kedar Jadhav was axed from the squad last game, with the youngster Jadadeesan replacing him. Jagadeesan looked good, although would need to do a lot better as a fielder. A wicket-keeper by trade, he had a tough time in the outfield. He might get a promotion to the opening slot, with Du Plessis moving down to his preferred number 3 position.
None of the teams are likely to make any voluntary changes to the squad, albeit for different reasons. SRH’s combinations have started to work for them, and CSK have historically been a franchisee to back a squad.
Likely 11s:
SRH: David Warner (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, Priyam Garg, Vijay Shankar, Abhishek Sharma, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan, Khaleel Ahmed
CSK: Shane Watson, N Jagadeesan, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Karn Sharma, Shadul Thakur
