Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Mumbai Indians can’t win the close games? Not a problem for Chennai Super Kings, who have won two games when they seemed dead and buried. They travel to Mohali to face a Kings XI Punjab side with holes to plug, especially in their middle order which has underwhelmed, on show against RCB.
Kings XI Punjab started very promisingly at Bangalore, only to lose three wickets in the 4th over, which sucked momentum out of the innings as a result. Their IPL 2018 campaign so far can be described as inconsistent, dismantling Delhi and then being dismantled by RCB. Yuvraj Singh looks to really be struggling, and more is required from the likes of Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis, to provide as much support as possible to the in form KL Rahul. This game is KXIP’s chance to build some momentum into their campaign.
Chennai Super Kings are the miracle workers so far in IPL 2018. Just like Mumbai Indians could easily be three out of three, CSK could easily be none out of two, but their fighting spirit has seen them over the line twice (namely Dwayne Bravo and Sam Billings), including an amazing chase of 202 against KKR. More fighting spirit is required in this game, with Suresh Raina set to miss his first ever game for CSK, in addition to Kedar Yadhav out for the rest of the tournament. Does Murali Vijay come in? Or even David Willey? What role could he play? Another possible concern is the form of captain MS Dhoni, who has struggled to get going so far in the tournament, scoring just 30 runs off 33 balls faced.
Key to a Kings XI Punjab win
Support for KL Rahul.
KL Rahul has started IPL 2018 absolutely brilliantly, providing wonderful, fast starts for his team.
However, there has been a lack of support, evident in KXIP’s loss of three wickets in one over as he stood watching at the other end v RCB. Aaron Finch was dismissed for a golden duck in his first outing, and none of Yuvraj Singh, Karun Nair, Marcus Stoinis and Mayank Agarwal could really get going against an RCB attack that has copped criticism.
A complete batting performance is required to give themselves a chance against a CSK side that has some key players missing.
Key to a Chennai Super Kings win
Can they overcome injuries?
Runs for CSK will be important in a match like this, and the likes of Shane Watson, Sam Billings, Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni need to step up to ensure a collective performance. With their spin heavy attack, CSK can target KXIP’s big hitters with pace off the ball, and if they can execute well with the bat, they are a chance of maintaining their 100% record so far in the tournament.
Possible teams:
For KXIP, it would make sense to replace Yuvraj Singh with David Miller. Yuvi looks to be really struggling, and Miller has the potential to offer more. Aaron Finch should be persisted with, but depends on what they do with Yuvraj. Against RCB, all bowlers held their own well, except Mohit Sharma, who went for 12.85 per over in his 3.3 overs. Despite this, expect KXIP to go in with the same attack.
Kings XI Punjab XI: 1. KL Rahul (wk), 2. Mayank Agarwal, 3. Aaron Finch, 4. Karun Nair, 5. David Miller/Yuvraj Singh 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Axar Patel, 8. Ravichandran Ashwin (c), 9. Andrew Tye, 10. Mohit Sharma, 11. Mujeeb Zadran
For CSK, Murali Vijay could open with Ambati Rayudu going down the order. However, Rayudu and Shane Watson were superb in starting CSK’s mammoth chase against KKR, putting on 75 in 5.5 overs.
Chennai Super Kings XI: 1. Shane Watson, 2. Ambati Rayudu, 3. Murali Vijay, 4. MS Dhoni (c, wk), 5. Sam Billings, 6. Ravindra Jadeja, 7. Dwayne Bravo, 8. Deepak Chahar, 9. Harbajhan Singh, 10. Shardul Thakur, 11. Imran Tahir
Stats and Facts:
- Head-to-Head: Matches: 17, KXIP: 7, CSK 10.
- Ravichandran Aswhin has taken 99 IPL wickets under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. Today, they will be opponents.
- Axar Patel has played five IPL matches against Shane Watson. He has dismissed him in every game.
- MS Dhoni has struggled against spin since IPL 2015 (367 off 349 balls, with dot ball percentage of 45.6).
Prediction:
Tough game to pick, with both sides having good aspects as well as not so good. Even without Suresh Raina though, I think CSK have enough to get the job done against a KXIP side coming off a short turnaround. CSK to maintain their 100% record.
