Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
We are already a third of the way through IPL 2018. A third! It’s been action-packed so far, with so many great battles, setting the tone for what should be a very exciting next phase of the tournament. Today, we will be treated to a battle between the best bowling attack and the best batting line up so far in the tournament.
Sunrisers Hyderabad experienced their first defeat against a red-hot KXIP team. For the first time in IPL 2018, their bowlers were put to the sword – Shakib Al Hasan and Rashid Khan went for a combined 83 in six overs. Their ability to bounce back will be put to the test today, and I’m very keen to see how they go.
For Chennai Super Kings, their status as best performing batting line up is getting a serious challenge from the likes of KXIP and KKR. What better way to maintain this status than by overcoming SRH, a side that has conceded an economy of just 7.54 in four games so far. CSK absolutely thrashed RR two nights ago in a game that told us two things – CSK is truly a top four contender, whereas RR are a fair way from considered the same.
In this clash, there promises to be fascinating individual battles as part of an exciting, larger battle.
Key to a Sunrisers Hyderabad win
Teams have been able to go through CSK’s batting line up at times in IPL 2018, and there is no doubt
that SRH will stand more of a test to CSK than poor RR. SRH will be in the ideal position f they can force CSK’s middle order to pick up some slack caused by removing the CSK top order relatively cheaply.
However, we know SRH’s main strength is their bowling attack, but can their batting stand up? They have the lowest boundary percentage (51.4%) of all teams in IPL 2018, so if they are to make a big impact not only in this game, but in the tournament, they’ll have to strike more fear in the opposition bowlers.
Losing Shikhar Dhawan in the previous game after just one ball was a big blow, but he is expected to play today, which can hold SRH in good stead. However, it should be noted that nos. 4-7 for SRH collectively average 23 since 2015, so the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Manish Pandey have a key role to play in the middle order.
Key to a Chennai Super Kings win
Can CSK do what KXIP did and overcome the SRH bowling attack?
A day after Chris Gayle’s magnificent hundred v SRH, Shane Watson followed up with his own against RR. However, while it was a superb innings & batting effort by CSK, RR were so poor that kids playing in the park on a Saturday morning could have put on a better showing.
How CSK deal with SRH’s variety is key – if CSK can get their batting right, they’ll put SRH’s batting under pressure, which will be a vital key to victory.
Predicted teams
In SRH’s last game, Chris Jordan came in for Billy Stanlake who had an injury. If Stanlake is fit, he should slot back in. Shikhar Dhawan is expected to play.
Sunrisers Hyderabad XI: 1. Shikhar Dhawan, 2. Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Yusuf Pathan, 5. Manish Pandey, 6. Shakib Al Hasan, 7. Deepak Hooda, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Rashid Khan, 10. Siddharth Kaul, 11. Billy Stanlake
Can’t see CSK making too many changes, if any. They’ll be keen to keep the momentum going.
Chennai Super Kings XI: 1. Shane Watson, 2. Ambati Rayudu, 3. Suresh Raina, 4. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 5. Sam Billings, 6. Ravindra Jadeja, 7. Dwayne Bravo, 8. Harbhajan Singh, 9. Deepak Chahar, 10. Imran Tahir, 11. Shardul Thakur
Stats and Facts:
- Head-to-Head: Matches: 6, SRH 2, CSK 4
- CSK have scored at a run rate of 7.70 against spinners in IPL 2018, compared to 10.73 against pace.
- MS Dhoni has been dismissed three times by leg spin in IPL 2018. But, against Bhuvneshwar Kumar in IPL cricket, he has scored 81 runs in 44 balls without ever being dismissed.
- Shakib Al Hasan has hit 85 in 60 balls against current CSK attack in IPL cricket.
Prediction:
This promises to be another top game of cricket. Another game which is difficult to pick, which is the beauty of IPL 2018.
For CSK, I expect Suresh Raina to have a big game. However, I believe SRH, possessing a much better attack than RR, will test CSK further, and will pick up a win at home.
