Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Match 7: CSK vs DC Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | CSK vs DC Dream11 Prediction Today | Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report

What’s an IPL tournament without significant focus on MS Dhoni?

The Chennai Super Kings captain was the centre of attention a few days ago, after sending himself in at number 7 and hitting three sixes when the game against Rajasthan was all but over. Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir was particularly vocal about Dhoni’s approach, which will have viewers waiting to see what CSK’s tactics will be in their third match of IPL 2020.

Truth be told, CSK might very well be glad that they move away from Sharjah for a little while. Their bowlers – particularly Piyush Chawla and Lungi Ngidi – struggled badly on the smaller field, copping the brunt of Sanju Samson, Steve Smith and Jofra Archer. The longer boundaries of Dubai will provide CSK’s bowlers with the extra insurance they desire, and will be looking to get back to winning ways after defeating MI first up and then losing to Rajasthan.

It was a whirlwind first match for Delhi Capitals five days ago, beating KXIP in a thrilling super over. Their record against CSK is woeful, so they will be banking on their new-found confidence since 2019 to help them over the line here. However, their tendency to collapse with the bat is an area where they need to improve, especially given Marcus Stoinis showed he can hit big in the death overs. With Kagiso Rabada, a genuine Purple Cap contender, leading the bowling attack brilliantly, DC can go into the match with strong belief that they can win their second of as many games in 2020.

Another thing to keep an eye on is the injury concerns in both camps. For CSK, Ambati Rayudu, who performed billiantly in game one, is down with a hamstring niggle, and is very unlikely to play. For DC, spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who is so important to the Delhi side, will also be assessed. Ashwin did say he felt fine after the KXIP match, but the decision will ultimately come down to whether management feel it is worth playing him with any niggle so early in the season.

Also read: How many of these IPL 2020 predictions will come true?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Eyes on MS Dhoni. When he bats at five or higher in IPL, CSK has a win percentage of 57%. When he bats at six or lower, this drops to 37%.
• Also, Dhoni has the most runs in CSK-DC matches (529, avg. 40.69). Last season, Dhoni hit 32* (35) and 44* (22) against DC during the league stage.
• What a performance by Marcus Stoinis for DC vs KXIP. He turned the match with an incredible 53 off 21 balls, before taking two wickets in the final over to force a Super Over (2/29).
• Faf du Plessis has been in outstanding form in IPL 2020, with scores of 58* (44) and 72 (37). Also, du Plessis was player of the match in Qualifier 2 against DC in IPL 2019 (50 off 39 balls).
• Shikhar Dhawan will be key for DC at the top of the order. In 21 matches against CSK, Dhawan has struck 641 runs at an avg. of 35.61 (SR 122.56). This includes 166 runs for Delhi against CSK at an average of 41.50.
• Shreyas Iyer looked in good touch vs KXIP in DC’s last match (39 off 32 balls). Also, Iyer made three starts against CSK in 2019 (18, 44 and 13). Can he build on the starts and make a significant contribution?
• Like Iyer, can Rishabh Pant build on his own starts? His last two IPL campaigns have been excellent: A total of 1,172 runs, avg. 45.08, SR: 173.89.
• Shane Watson looked promising in his knock of 33 (21) vs RR last match. Also, Watson struck 50 off 32 balls vs DC in IPL 2019, Qualifier 2.
• Sam Curran has been a breath of fresh air for CSK. He has taken four wickets in two matches (1/28 and 3/38), and is capable of producing important cameos with the bat (18 off 6 balls and 17 off 6 balls so far in 2020).
• Kagiso Rabada continues to impress. Shreyas Iyer said that all is fine with KG at the backend of an innings. His performance vs KXIP (2/28 & two Super Over wickets) shows he can build on his superb campaign in 2019, where he took 25 wickets in 12 matches.
• R Ashwin has six wickets in four matches vs CSK.
• Time for CSK to unleash Imran Tahir? He was the top wicket-taker in IPL 2019 (26), including six wickets in three games vs DC.
• Can Deepak Chahar cause problems for DC’s inconsistent top order? Chahar has taken 26 wickets in the powerplay overs since IPL 2018.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 21, CSK 15, DC 6.
• CSK have won four of the last six matches against DC since IPL 2018.
• Will CSK play Lungi Ngidi, given his great record vs Rishabh Pant? Six balls, seven runs, two dismissals.
• Axar Patel has a magnificent record vs Shane Watson in IPL: 38 balls, 42 runs, five dismissals.
• Kagiso Rabada has picked up at least two wickets in each of his last eight IPL matches. If he achieves the same today, he will break Lasith Malinga’s record.

Possible Playing 11

What is CSK’s best batting lineup? Dhoni at five? The statistics say yes. So, it will be interesting to see if he pushes himself up the order today. Also, Murali Vijay has looked out of sorts, and could be replaced by someone like Shardul Thakur, who can hit late runs and provide Dhoni with another bowling option. Plus, CSK could persist with Piyush Chawla due to the bigger boundaries of Dubai.

Ambati Rayudu is likely to sit out as CSK don’t want to risk him (details here). Also, Lungi Ngidi has been expensive in IPL 2020 so far, so they might look to replace him with Imran Tahir.

Also read: The brilliance of the MS Dhoni & Suresh Raina’s partnership

Chennai Super Kings: 1. Shane Watson, 2. Faf du Plessis, 3. Ruturaj Gaikwad, 4. Kedar Jadhav, 5. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 6. Sam Curran, 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Shardul Thakur, 9. Deepak Chahar, 10. Piyush Chawla, 11. Imran Tahir/Lungi Ngidi

Whether DC persist with the same team that beat KXIP depends on R Ashwin’s fitness. Reports suggest he will be assessed today (details here).

Delhi Capitals: 1. Prithvi Shaw, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Shimron Hetmyer, 4. Shreyas Iyer (c), 5. Rishabh Pant (wk), 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Axar Patel, 8. R Ashwin/Amit Mishra, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Anrich Norje, 11. Mohit Sharma

Dubai Pitch and Weather Report

KL Rahul smashed 132* off 69 balls at Dubai yesterday – the highest ever score by an Indian player in IPL history. While RCB performed poorly with bat and ball, the pitch looked a good one for batting. With grass still evident on the track, more of the same can be expected here.

Interestingly, the team batting first has won all three games so far at Dubai in IPL 2020. There is the issue of dew in the second innings, but a good score first up can be difficult to chase. More hot weather is on the way.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

CSK have a superb record against DC, and will be keen to bounce back after a loss last match vs RR. DC certainly have the players to cause problems, but CSK’s greater reliability could come up trumps. Perhaps a lot depends on where Dhoni chooses to bat.

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