Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Match 53: CSK vs KXIP Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | CSK vs KXIP Dream11 Prediction Today | Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report

It is quite the scenario for Kings XI Punjab. If they win today, they will move up to second on the IPL 2020 Table, courtesy of DC’s and RCB’s comprehensive defeats yesterday. If they lose, they will be knocked out due to SRH’s superior net run rate.

It is a situation that is indicative of the kind of tournament IPL 2020 has been. Things, such as DC and RCB’s qualification, may have looked certain, but then the unexpected occurs. Now, KXIP can take a really massive step to qualifying as Shreyas Iyer’s and Virat Kohli’s teams go head-to-head tomorrow.

Chennai Super Kings have been playing spoilsport since their elimination. They have put a dent in both RCB’s and KKR’s playoff hopes, and could do the same to KXIP today. The rise of Ruturaj Gaikwad, finishing ability of Ravindra Jadeja and all-round skill of Sam Curran makes this match one to look forward to for CSK fans, even though they are out of the running.

So, can KXIP, who have qualified for the playoffs just twice in 13 years, hold their nerve in this crunch clash? Calm and composure is the need of the hour after struggling with the dew vs RR last time out – an issue they won’t be facing in today’s day game.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• KL Rahul’s strike rate was in question once again last game. The Orange Cap holder (641 runs) is crucial to KXIP’s hopes today. He has an excellent record for KXIP against CSK: 5 inns, 233 runs, avg. 46.60, SR 138.69.
• Chris Gayle is also crucial. The “Universe Boss” became the first player to hit 1,000 sixes in T20 cricket, and is coming off a superb 99 off 63 balls vs RR. Can he perform better today than his career record vs CSK? (13 inns, 373 runs, avg. 31.08, SR 129.97)
• Ruturaj Gaikwad has been a breath of fresh air for CSK. He is coming off 65* and 72 in his past two games, which were both player-of-the-match performances.
• His opening partner could be either Faf du Plessis or Shane Watson. du Plessis might get the nod, given the good record he possesses against some of KXIP’s bowlers (57 off 29 balls vs Shami and 43 off 28 balls vs Maxwell). However, like du Plessis (87* off 53) Watson also performed brilliantly against KXIP earlier this season (83* off 53).
• MS Dhoni has struggled with the bat in IPL 2020. But, could he fire in the very last CSK match? He possesses a great record for CSK vs KXIP (525 runs, avg. 58.33, SR 155.33).
• Both Mayank Agarwal (398 runs in IPL 2020, avg. 39.80) and Mandeep Singh are under injury clouds. Whoever plays needs to set a platform against CSK’s powerplay bowlers to enable Rahul and Gayle to play with freedom.
• Nicholas Pooran has hit the second-most sixes in IPL 2020 (25). Not only that, Pooran’s overall numbers are excellent: 13 inns, 351 runs, avg. 39.00, SR 173.76.
• Ravindra Jadeja has been remarkable with the bat in recent weeks. He has smashed 159 runs in his last seven knocks (two dismissals, SR 189).
• His all-round partner, Sam Curran, has been CSK’s shining light this season (186 runs and 13 wickets). Can he fire today?
• Mohammed Shami has the equal second-most wickets in IPL 2020 (20 scalps). He has two wickets in three matches for KXIP vs CSK so far – can he build on this? His seam partner, Chris Jordan, could benefit from now dew today (six wickets in last three games).
• Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin will be key in a day game where the teams could be faced with a slowish pitch in Abu Dhabi. They have taken 22 wickets between them this season.
• Can Deepak Chahar break KXIP’s important top order? He needs to improve on his record of two wickets in five games for CSK vs KXIP.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Played 23, CSK 14, KXIP 9.
• CSK smashed KXIP by 10 wickets earlier in IPL 2020, chasing 179 with ease. Shane Watson (83*) and Faf du Plessis (87*) starred. But, it is likely only one of them will play this time.
• Sam Curran could become the fourth CSK player to score 200 runs and take 10+ runs in a single season, after Albie Morkel (2008), Dwayne Bravo (2012) and Ravindra Jadeja (2013).
• Both teams have struggled at Abu Dhabi this season. KXIP have not won a game there, while CSK have won just one of three.
• If KXIP win, they will move to second. If they lose, they will miss the playoffs.

Possible Playing 11

Chennai Super Kings: 1. Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2. Shane Watson/Faf du Plessis, 3. Ambati Rayudu, 4. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 5. N Jagadeesan, 6. Ravindra Jadeja, 7. Sam Curran, 8. Mitchell Santner, 9. Deepak Chahar, 10. Karn Sharma, 11. Lungi Ngidi

Kings XI Punjab: 1. Mayank Agarwal/Mandeep Singh, 2. KL Rahul (c & wk), 3. Chris Gayle, 4. Nicholas Pooran, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Deepak Hooda, 7. Chris Jordan, 8. M Ashwin, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Ravi Bishnoi, 11. Arshdeep Singh

Abu Dhabi Pitch and Weather Report

Chasing teams have really been dominating in recent times. The chasing team has won four of the past five matches at Abu Dhabi. The average first innings score in these matches is 164.4, including KKR’s 194 last week (which was the only time a team batting first has won in the past five games here). Dew won’t be a factor today as this is a day game.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

If KXIP can get into CSK’s middle order as early as possible, they are a great chance of winning. Plus, they need their top three to ease the nerves and get the team off to a strong start. KXIP are the favourites, but this could come down to if the team bowling first can restrict the opponent effectively.