RRvKXIP IPL 2020: The stunning knockoff with many feats
The clash between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab was a match of a lifetime, where a lot of records were broken and some were made. 224 became the highest ever chase in the history of the Indian Premier League and celebrated so many elements of cricket. Right from Mayank Agrawal and Rahul Tewatia’s batting, to Nicholas Pooran’s fielding and the mammoth chase eventually, it was truly a cracking match.
After the first innings, it was obvious that Punjab had an edge in the game as KL Rahul and Mayank Agrawal scored 69 (54) and 106 (50) runs respectively. But the way Rajasthan Royals fought back at a tremendous pace, the team managed to rewrite the climax. While in Punjab, the star players showed character, the Royals gave a sustainable show as four of their batsmen contributed equally to get the winning total. Steven Smith and Sanju Samson gave a good start with 50 (27) and 85 (42) respectively.
RRvKXIP IPL 2020: The stunning knockoff with many feats
But it was Tewatia’s batting that sealed the deal. Tewatia started with 5 runs off 13 deliveries and ended up at 53 in 31 balls to become an overnight star. Yuvraj Singh thanked him for missing the one ball in the over in which he smashed West Indian fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes. Chris Gayle was the last batsman to achieve this feat in the IPL for RCB against Pune Warriors India in 2012.
RRvKXIP IPL 2020: The stunning knockoff with many feats
The Royals scored 86 runs in the last five overs, which enabled them to pull off this heist. On the other hand, KL and Agarwal batted together for 183 runs and that is the third-highest opening partnership in the history of the IPL.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
Alyssa Healy passed MS Dhoni’s record for the most dismissals in T20I cricket. In New Zealand’s innings in the second T20 match, the Australian wicketkeeper caught Lauren Down, marking her 92nd dismissal (42 catches and 50 stumpings). The team is already leading in three-match T20 series 2-0, played at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field.
The trait that was started by Dhoni to turn the game by mastering his tricks with the gloves has been seen in Healy too. “There’s a lot of stuff that you do as a wicketkeeper that goes unnoticed,” she said after play. “I’m always really content when I come off the field and I’ve had a good day behind the stumps, and I feel like I had a great day behind the stumps today.”
— Australian Women's Cricket Team ? (@AusWomenCricket) September 27, 2020
Even the New Zealand captain Sophie Devine couldn’t hold back and said that Healy’s performance is a fantastic achievement. “She’s been in the Australian set-up for a long, long time … I think she’s grown in confidence with the gloves as well as with the bat, and it probably reflects that in the last couple of years she’s been on a real high”, said Devine.
In the post-match presentation, when Australian cricket commentator Mel Jones compared her to Dhoni, Healy felt it was a stranger discussion as she had no clue about the record-breaking wicket. “I had no idea about it, I wondered why Mel Jones was asking me about MS Dhoni, I thought it was a very strange discussion we were about to have. “It’s obviously a very nice individual accolade but it reflects better on our bowling attack than myself. It just shows the strength of our bowling attack we’ve had throughout my career that they are giving these opportunities. Makes me think about all the ones I’ve missed but at the same it is nice, but it’s more credit to the bowlers”, she said.
Apart from her contribution behind the stumps, she also scored 33 off 17 balls, making it easy for Aussies to seal the series. “There’s probably a little bit of rust floating around with my bat in hand but in saying that when we are chasing down totals like it’s my job to take it to the opposition, see if I can get that run rate down as low as possible for our middle order to get the job done,” Healy said. “Pleasing it came off today and puts me in good stead for the one-day format.”
? Stat alert ?
Alyssa Healy has surpassed MS Dhoni's record of most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in T20Is ?
IPL 2020 Match 10: RCB vs MI Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | RCB vs MI Dream11 Prediction Today | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report
In true IPL fashion, we have seen some weird and wonderful surprises. From Marcus Stoinis’ heroics early on to Rahul Tewatia’s incredible knock most recently, the tournament is already living up to its billing as one of the most competitive yet.
However, one constant is Royal Challengers Bangalore’s age-old problems. They were taken to the cleaners by KL Rahul last time out, with their death bowling and tactics once again hurting them dearly. The concern regarding the make up of their XI, despite their win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, was justified, given the lack of high-quality options for RCB at the death. In addition, their reliance on the top four remains, with Virat Kohli choosing to send in Josh Philippe at three in a 200+ run-chase last time out so that he and AB de Villiers can provide cover for what looks a thin middle order.
And it doesn’t get easier. They come up against champions Mumbai Indians, who are well-drilled and have aced the T20 game over the years. Rohit Sharma was their star last time out against Kolkata Knight Riders, before their versatile bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, kept the dangerous KKR lineup very quiet. The men in blue start this match as favourites, but as we’ve seen so far in IPL 2020, you will be put in serious trouble if you drop your guard as the game can swing around in the blink of an eye. So, can the perennial slow starters make it two wins from three to start their campaign?
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Rohit Sharma took KKR apart in his last game, scoring 80 off just 54 balls. Rohit has the second-most runs for any MI player vs RCB, with 470 at an average of 31.33 and SR 145.06.
Kieron Pollard has the most runs for MI against RCB, with excellent numbers. His 475 runs come at an average of 31.67 and strong SR of 156.25. Pollard will be key given RCB’s death bowling worries.
As will Hardik Pandya. He had a strike rate of 191.42 in IPL 2019, which included scores of 37* (16) and 32* (14) against RCB.
AB de Villiers loves playing MI. He has the second-most runs in MI-RCB matches, with 564 at an average of 51.27. Last season, de Villiers hit 75 (51) and 70* (41) vs MI.
Virat Kohli has had a slow start to IPL 2020. Is this the game where he fires? He has the most runs in MI-RCB matches, with 683 at an average of 29.70 (SR 130.59).
Quinton de Kock has two fifties and a century in six knocks against RCB in IPL. He has a total of 306 runs against them at an average of 51.06, SR 157.73.
How will the talented Devdutt Padikkal fare against MI’s pace? He performed beautifully against SRH, but the extra pace of MI will make for an interesting battle.
Saurabh Tiwary has a strong record vs RCB, when playing for MI (3 inns, 115 runs, avg. 115, SR 140.24). Also, Tiwary has made a promising start to IPL 2020: 42 (31) and 21 (13).
Jasprit Bumrah bounced back well vs KKR after a tough first game vs CSK. Also, Bumrah has the most wickets for any current MI bowler against RCB (16), including 3/20 last season.
Yuzvendra Chahal for RCB vs MI: 11 matches, 16 wickets, avg. 20.56, econ. 7.83.
Time for RCB to bring in Moeen Ali? He performed brilliantly vs MI last season, scoring 50 (32) and taking 2/18 at Bengaluru.
Trent Boult has six wickets in three games against RCB. Mohammad Siraj has five wickets in four matches for RCB vs MI.
Watch out for Rahul Chahar. RCB have lost the most wickets to legspin since IPL 2018 (42).
IPL 2020 Match 10: RCB vs MI Preview Dream11: Kohli & de Villiers will be key.
Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 27, RCB 9, MI 18.
MI have won seven of the last eight matches against RCB.
Keep Krunal Pandya and Rahul Chahar for ABD? Krunal has dimissed de Villiers four times in six innings, whilst conceding just 43 runs in 43 balls. Against de Villiers, Chahar has conceded just 14 runs in 13 balls.
Yuzvendra Chahal has dismissed Kieron Pollard four times in eight innings, while conceding 49 off 37 balls.
Dale Steyn and Umesh Yadav have conceded 16.7 and 13.4 per over respectively in the death overs since IPL 2019.
Possible Playing 11
Moeen Ali to come in for RCB? What do RCB do with Umesh Yadav and Dale Steyn, both of whom have struggled to date? Mohammad Siraj is waiting in the wings, and it remains to be seen if Chris Morris has recovered adequately enough from a side strain.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 1. Devdutt Padikkal, 2. Aaron Finch, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. AB de Villiers, 5. Josh Philippe (wk)/Moeen Ali, 6. Shivam Dube, 7. Washington Sundar, 8. Chris Morris/Dale Steyn/Isuru Udana, 9. Umesh Yadav/Mohammed Siraj, 10. Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. Navdeep Saini
Mumbai Indians look much more settled. One question is whether Nathan Coulter-Nile will replace James Pattinson, provided he is fit enough. However, Pattinson has performed well in the first two games, taking 1/27 and 2/25.
The team batting first has won all four games at Dubai so far in IPL 2020. The average first innings score in these matches is 175.25, which is bumped up significantly by KXIP’s 206 vs RCB. Expect the pitch to have some grass given it is still early in the tournament, which will make for a nice batting track.
Also, dew will be around so again, there may be a temptation to chase even though the team batting first has enjoyed all success on this ground so far.
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Match Prediction
Mumbai Indians look to have all bases covered compared to their opponents. Of course, RCB are capable of turning it on, particularly if the top four fires. However, MI are more well-rounded and look good for a win here.
IPL 2020 Match 9: RR vs KXIP Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | RR vs KXIP Dream11 Prediction Today | Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report
Two teams who haven’t achieved the things they would have liked in IPL cricket. Two teams who are looking to right the wrongs of the last few years in particular. An intriguing match awaits at the high-scoring Sharjah, between two teams who have made promising starts to their respective IPL 2020 campaigns.
Rajasthan Royals, led by Sanju Samson’s incredible six-hitting, flayed CSK’s bowlers to all parts. With their opponents, Kings XI Punjab, having their own death bowling concerns, the Royals will know that a strong start, with wickets in hand at the death, could translate into a big total. Even better, they welcome back the brilliant Jos Buttler, who has been superb as an opener in IPL cricket. So, the big questions will be whether their batting lineup can repeat the carnage against CSK, as well as whether the bowlers can contain the opposition.
And, the opposition is headlined by the magnificent KL Rahul. In the highest ever individual score by an Indian in IPL history, Rahul made a mockery of RCB’s bowlers, flaying them to all parts of the larger Dubai International Stadium. So, the move to the small outfield of Sharjah is a warning shot in itself for the Royals’ bowlers, who will be out to see the back of Rahul as quickly as possible. But, KXIP’s powerful middle order has the potential to also cause carnage. Can that middle order, which has underwhelmed so far, deliver in batting-friendly conditions? Will KXIP bring in Chris Gayle for Sharjah? Also, can KXIP’s bowlers contain RR’s own big hitters, particularly at the death?
Sanju Samson hit 74 off 32 balls on this ground a few nights ago. Also, Samson has the most runs in RR-KXIP out of the players in the two current squads (273, avg. 39.00). Key player.
Eyes will be on KL Rahul. Coming off a record-breaking 132* (69) vs RCB, Rahul comes up against a side whom he has 235 runs against when playing for KXIP. The 235 are the most for any current KXIP player against RR.
Chris Gayle enjoyed playing against RR last season. He struck 30 (22) and 79 (47) against them in IPL 2019.
Welcome back Jos Buttler. Buttler has a fine record against KXIP, with 225 runs at an average of 56.25. This includes 23 (17) and 69 (43) in IPL 2019. Also, Buttler has a magnificent record as an IPL opener: 24 innings, 1,011 runs, avg. 45.95, SR 157.97.
Steve Smith has performed well in T20 cricket over the past 12 months. In T20 Internationals during this period, Smith struck 281 runs at an average of 56.20, SR 149.74. Also, he is coming off a strong performance vs CSK: 69 off 47 balls.
Mayank Agarwal has looked in excellent touch in IPL 2020 (89 off 60 balls & 26 off 20 balls).
Glenn Maxwell has had a quiet start to IPL 2020, but returns to a ground where he has enjoyed success. In two IPL knocks at Sharjah, Maxwell has hit two fifties (95 and 89).
Jofra Archer will be key with the ball for RR. He has taken 11 wickets in his last seven matches across formats, and also showed he can hit a long ball (four sixes last match). Also, he has five wickets in four matches vs KXIP.
Can Murugan Ashwin and the impressive Ravi Bishnoi perform at Sharjah? It is not an easy ground for spinners, but both are coming off three wickets in their last match.
Sheldon Cottrell will be key for KXIP in both the powerplay and death overs. He has four wickets in two matches so far in IPL 2020, at an economy rate of under six.
Rahul Tewatia took 3/37 on this ground vs CSK. He and Shreyas Gopal, who has four wickets in 9.1 overs vs KXIP, will be key.
Mohammed Shami so far in IPL 2020: 3/15 (4) and 1/15 (3). Can he improve on his bowling average of 39 and economy rate of 8.23 vs RR?
IPL 2020 Match 9: RR vs KXIP Preview Dream11 Prediction: Jos Buttler is back.
Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 19, RR 10, KXIP 9.
Kings XI Punjab have won four of their last five matches against Rajasthan Royals.
Chris Gayle has a strike rate of over 200 vs legspinners since IPL 2018. RR have two in their lineup – Rahul Tewatia and Shreyas Gopal.
Jofra Archer’s best IPL figures of 3/15 came against KXIP last season.
KXIP have the best opening partnership of any team since IPL 2019 (avg. 50.8).
Possible Playing 11
Jos Buttler returns for RR. There is talk that he could bat at number four, but Rajasthan would be missing a significant opportunity if that proves to be the case. In 24 innings as an IPL opener, Buttler has hit 1,011 runs, at an avg. of 45.95, and SR 157.97. When he bats at four, this average drops to 23.75 (five innings). Number five is worse, with an average of 18.42 in 13 innings.
Rajasthan Royals: 1. Jos Buttler (wk), 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3. Steve Smith (c), 4. Sanju Samson, 5. Robin Uthappa, 6. Riyan Parag, 7. Shreyas Gopal, 8. Jofra Archer, 9. Tom Curran, 10. Rahul Tewatia, 11. Jaydev Unadkat
KXIP will be tempted to play Chris Gayle on this ground. If so, Nicholas Pooran could be the overseas player to drop out, after an underwhelming start to IPL 2020. Also, KXIP have a decision to make regarding their final overseas slot: Jimmy Neesham, Mujeeb ur Rahman or Chris Jordan?
Kings XI Punjab: 1. KL Rahul, 2. Chris Gayle, 3. Mayank Agarwal, 4. Karun Nair, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Sarfaraz Khan, 7. Jimmy Neesham/Mujeeb Ur Rahman/Chris Jordan, 8. Ravi Bishnoi, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Sheldon Cottrell, 11. M Ashwin
Sharjah Pitch and Weather Report
We could be in for another high scoring game, after RR and CSK both scored 200+ on this ground a few days ago. The pitch is expected to be a beauty for batting, and the short boundaries will be a challenge for the bowlers. For the spinners, the margin for error is very low, as deliveries that are too full or too short will disappear.
Dew could be a factor in the second innings, which may prompt the team who wins the toss to chase. The team batting first has won six of eight games so far in IPL 2020, including RR against CSK at Sharjah.
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Match Prediction
This one promises to be full of fireworks. If KXIP’s powerful lineup fires, they will be hard to beat. However, if RR can take advantage of KXIP’s death bowling worries, they too will be difficult to beat. This one could come down to the sheer number of power hitters in each side, where KXIP just have the edge. KXIP to win in a tight one.
AUS-W vs NZ-W 2nd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | AUS-W vs NZ-W 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Australia Women vs New Zealand Women Key Players | Allan Border Field Brisbane Pitch Report
The Australia juggernaut continues. As was the case earlier in 2020, they responded well when placed under pressure, this time in the opening T20I. They won despite their big guns in the top order not firing, which is hugely encouraging, reaching 138/6 from the depths of 82/5, courtesy of Ashleigh Gardner’s 61. Also, Australia overcame the trend of chasing teams winning in recent times at Allan Border Field, with Megan Schutt’s 4/23 leading the way with the ball to a 17-run win.
New Zealand come into the second match with six straight losses against Australia. With Sophie Devine in fine batting and bowling form, the White Ferns had their chances to win the opening T20I after ripping through Australia’s top order, only to fall short once again. Now, with the series on the line, can New Zealand build on their positives from the opening match and level the series?
Sophie Devine holds a significant key to New Zealand’s chances. She has scored 403 runs and taken 27 wickets in 24 T20Is against Australia, including 3/18 and 29 (34) in the first T20I.
Beth Mooney suffered a rare failure in the opening match. She will want to improve on her average of 16.88 in 11 T20Is vs New Zealand.
Mooney still has an outstanding record in 2020 so far: 12 matches, 469 runs, avg. 52.11. Also, Mooney loves batting at Allan Border Field, with 268 runs in five matches at an average of 89.33 on this ground in WBBL 2019.
Ashleigh Gardner was player of the match in the first T20I, hitting a superb 61 off 41 balls. Her average vs New Zealand before the first match was a lowly 9.00 in eight innings, so it was a great turnaround. Can she back it up?
Alyssa Healy has the second-most runs against NZ out of any current Australia player (397). However, can she improve on her average of 17.26 against them?
No player has more runs in AUS-NZ T20Is than Suzie Bates (949, avg. 26.36). She also has 24 wickets in 38 T20Is against Australia, including 1/6 in her only over in the first T20I.
Rachael Haynes is looking in good touch. She got out after making a start in the first T20I (23 off 18 balls), after hitting 54 in the warm-up match before this series.
Meg Lanning has the most runs of any current Australia player in AUS-NZ T20Is (513, avg. 21.34).
Megan Schutt has an excellent record vs NZ: 22 wickets in 16 matches. She has seven wickets in two T20Is vs NZ in 2020, and is coming off 4/23 in the first match.
Jess Jonassen has been superb for Australia in 2020: 12 T20Is, 18 wickets, avg. 13.83.
Lea Tahuhu has 14 wickets in 17 T20Is vs Australia, and will be key again.
AUS-W vs NZ-W 2nd T20I Preview Dream11: Sophie Devine will be key with both bat and ball.
Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 42, Australia 22, New Zealand 19, 1 abandoned.
Australia have won their past six T20Is against New Zealand. New Zealand’s last win was way back in 2017.
Australia have won their last six T20Is after losing to India in their first game of the T20 World Cup.
Amelia Kerr had a tough game on Saturday (0/35 and 5 runs), but her talent is there for all to see. She took six wickets in four games at the T20 World Cup.
Delissa Kimmince bowled beautifully in the opening T20I, taking 2/24. She will have a key role to play.
Possible Playing 11
Australia could look to persist with a winning combination in the quest to seal the series.
New Zealand had their moments on Saturday, and might also stick with the same XI.
New Zealand: 1. Sophie Devine (c), 2. Maddy Green, 3. Suzie Bates, 4. Amy Satterthwaite, 5. Katey Martin (wk), 6. Amelia Kerr, 7. Hayley Jensen, 8. Lauren Down, 9. Katie Perkins, 10. Rosemary Mair, 11. Lea Tahuhu
Allan Border Pitch and Weather Report
Sophie Devine, when batting, said that the track was quite slow when she was speaking to the commentators via the broadcasting microphone. The same can be expected as this game will be played 24 hours later.
Australia’s win batting first (138) went against the trend of chasing teams doing well on this ground. In the men’s domestic one day (50 overs) competition in 2019, the average first innings score was 227.25 in four matches, with the chasing team winning all four matches. In the Women’s Big Bash League 2019, the average first innings score was 141.25 in eight matches. The chasing team won seven times in those eight matches.
The weather forecast looks outstanding again, with a temperature of 25 degrees and sunshine.
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Match Prediction
Australia look to have New Zealand’s measure, and the sheer number of players that can contribute makes them tough to beat. Meg Lanning’s team to win.
CSK Analysis: No mistake in MS Dhoni’s captaincy, needs combinational change
For a team that has thrived on stability, Chennai Super Kings are stuck in a strange situation currently. Coach Stephen Fleming admitted that they have been a bit muddled with their options.
Perhaps, he was suggesting towards attaining some more clarity in their method going ahead in the tournament. He is not wrong. CSK have had few things going their way and certainly might need a stimulus to aid them acquire some momentum in the season. There are some valid concerns over the team. But, erratic apprehensions have been cast across the last two games that need some addressing too.
Firstly, the point about MS Dhoni demoting himself down the order that has attracted some wild statements from expected quarters. It’s alright to criticize a player who lacks purpose despite being in the thick of things. Not someone who willingly admits to his lack of form owing to being out of touch for a considerable period of time. Dhoni did acknowledge that he hasn’t played for long and hence felt the need to promote other batsmen ahead of him in the steep chase against Rajasthan Royals.
Then, there are individuals who stress on players being ready to come out and bat in any situation if they have signed up a contract with their franchise. Okay, that’s true. Not in the case of MS Dhoni and CSK.
CSK Analysis: MS Dhoni knows what’s best for CSK.
People tend to forget that he is out of national team action for now for everyone to outlandishly expect him keep up the same level of performances. He is part of a franchise that is defined the way it is because of him. The men he is answerable to are the ones who proclaim him to be “priceless” and have held his back even on occasions when the entirety cricketing fraternity turned against him.
CSK are very well aware of him lacking touch with the willow currently. But they go all out in Dhoni’s defence because they understand that the man is central to their future even from the sidelines.
MSD is 39 currently. He’s only going to be around for a short while now, maybe a few seasons at best. But the IPL will go on and CSK will have a legacy to live up to thereafter. So, they are going to have a bunch of players who encounter, understand and overcome situations like the ones that the team has faced in the last two games. When Dhoni sent the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kedar Jadhav, Sam Curran ahead of him in the previous couple of games, it was an opportunity for these players to test the waters.
You can only take a horse to a pond but can’t make it drink the water. Lots have been said of these players rubbing shoulders with the best brain in the game and learning the tricks of the trade from the skipper. However, they need to be sent into such scenarios that test their adeptness at bailing the team out of precarious moments in the game. These are experiments that pay off at times, or they falter miserably.
CSK Analysis: Faf du Plessis has been superb, but CSK needs greater team balance around him.
But, guess what? Dhoni has the liberty to try out these alternatives at the start of the season. Because, he is there to build a team that continues to flourish even when he is gone. For that, these players need to be tried in demanding situations. A couple of losses are no big price for this process. CSK isn’t a franchise that will switch captains according to the instantaneous whims and fancies of the owners. Neither will they stick to a leader with prolonged periods of underwhelming returns.
The trust that Dhoni has earned over the years from the top-brass of the club rightfully enables him to work around his options without fearing a straight dismissal from the decision-makers. He was the goddamn vice-president of the former parent company of CSK at one point in time. Do you really think that he will not have the freedom to get in the groove midway through the competition or test some fringe players ahead of him in a crunch chase?
Now, one can delve into the combinations that CSK are trying at the moment. Suresh Raina’s absence maybe compelled the team-management to believe that they need an extra batsman in the lineup. Having the cushion of additional batters succeeds when individuals in the middle can play in the accordance with the demands of the game.
CSK Analysis: CSK is missing Raina, but they can use their resources better.
For two matches in a row, Kedar Jadhav could not instill any steam in the chase. He came in at situations when the team needed some significant run-scoring push and he left the crease by only worsening the course of the innings. Jadhav is stocky, has a strong bottom-hand and wrists but he remains suspect against express pace that he will come up against in the second-half of the innings.
Secondly, Ruturaj Gaikwad has arguably flattered to deceive for all his promise. One can sympathize with for having contracted COVID-19 ahead of the tournament. One can even ward off his first-ball duck against RR considering the required run rate at that point and that it was his debut game. However, yesterday’s chase was a modest one in all probability. He was pitted against spin duo of Amit Mishra and Axar Patel, which is a favored match-up for a domestic batsman in the IPL.
However, Gaikwad looked jittery right from the offset. Neither could he get going at run-a-ball, nor did he extend his stay to compensate for the initial dots that he played. The 23-year-old looked a bit unsure in dealing Mishra and Patel’s clever deliveries and succumbed eventually after pulling the run rate further down. CSK lost the game in the middle-overs on Friday.
To be honest, Chennai have persistently been slow starters in the last couple of years. However, the likes of Raina and Dhoni allowed them to accelerate or keep up with the rate in the middle overs before going for the kill in the end. Right now, the only boost comes in the end for CSK, with the game out of reach.
So, they can look to replace the personnel in the middle and add up a dasher upfront in the innings so that the required rate is pacified in the first six overs. This makes the job easier between 6-15 overs. Moreover, the current playing XI isn’t ideal for the captain that Dhoni is.
MS isn’t a skipper who prefers his spinners bowling the safe overs in the middle of the innings and finishing off conventionally with merely five bowlers. He likes having his options on the table, making different choices as the game progresses. He reads the intent of the batsmen and picks his bowlers accordingly.
For instance, Ravindra Jadeja had bowled only a handful of overs in the start of IPL 2018. He seemed to be struggling to get his form back and conceded plenty of runs in return. Dhoni didn’t bother. He made him bowl only a solitary or two overs to start off. As Jadeja recovered his mojo, the spinner bowled his full quota in the back end of the tournament and aided his team in lifting the trophy eventually.
But the skipper persisted with him in the XI even when he was out of touch. Dhoni could do so then because of the plethora of bowling options that he had in hand. The current XI deprives him of his innate ability to pull a rabbit out of his hat whilst leading the side. CSK need to allow an influx of players who fulfill the aforementioned criterion.
Bring Mitchell Santner in?
Hence, here’s a suggestion: Make Mitchell Santner open the innings with Shane Watson. The Aussie managed to get starts in the last two games. However, he was dismissed in the quest of upping the scoring rate. That mantle shouldn’t fall at him completely. Santner is no novice with the bat. He has a classical approach but can clear the 30-yard circle with his strokes and maintain a formidable run-rate in the initial six overs.
CSK lack a left-handed batsman up top in absence of Raina too. Santner can fill that gaping hole. He will take on the bowlers as Watson settles down. Axar Patel dismissed the right-handed batsman yesterday and teams might look to deploy a left-arm off-spinner in order to challenge him in the powerplay. No issues, CSK will have Santner to deal with that enticing match-up too. All in all, this will reduce the burden off the middle-order and the coming batsmen will have a scoring rate that is well within their reach too.
Simon Doull had in fact suggested that the Kiwi all-rounder might open the innings for CSK from 2020 in one of the Cricbuzz Live episodes last year. That time is here. Santner will also take some burden off Jadeja. If the player from Saurashtra has a bad bowling day, the overseas player will complete his quota of overs, thus allowing MS that flexibility. For this, the team might have to sacrifice Josh Hazlewood. That’s alright though. CSK aren’t averse to playing an all-Indian bowling lineup.
For all the flak that Shardul Thakur receives, he has been pretty handy for India in T20Is since his return in January, as explained here. CSK is one-batsman heavy right now, as accepted by Dhoni the post-match presentation yesterday. So, Karn Sharma can be drafted in the XI too. The lack of an extra batsman will make MS play at 4/5. This will give him enough time to be in a situation to change the momentum of the game and not chase something extraordinary from an unfeasible scenario.
CSK’s spinners have fallen short of control and improvisation in the previous few games. For a better part of his IPL career, Karn Sharma has maintained a laudable economy rate. He can stick to a wicket-to-wicket line, and act up as an option instead of Chawla if the latter’s day goes wrong.
Four spinners, three pacers, a quick scorer up top and an appropriate batting slot for almost all batsmen involved, the following XI can ensure MS Dhoni creates something special out of a hesitant team currently.
A CSK XI that can deliver:
Shane Watson, Mitchell Santner, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Piyush Chawla, Karn Sharma.
“You know I have a lot of cars and bikes in my house. I don’t ride all at a time,” Dhoni had said after the first Qualifier of IPL 2018 explaining why he didn’t let Harbhajan Singh bowl a single over despite keeping him in the team.
It’s time that he gets all his bikes and cars back on the field.
Written by Tarkesh Jha. Follow Tarkesh on Twitter today.
IPL 2020 Match 8: KKR vs SRH Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | KKR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction Today | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report
What was that? IPL 2020 was going to be ultra competitive? After one week, six teams have won at least one game each, with two teams left. And those two teams will play today in what promises to be an interesting match.
Kolkata Knight Riders, who were very busy in the auction, had a poor start to the tournament against Mumbai Indians. Captain Dinesh Karthik, whom Sunil Gavaskar says the spotlight is on given Eoin Morgan can captain, has called for calm, particularly around record purchase Pat Cummins’ performance. KKR have a few questions regarding their team balance, particularly with Sunil Narine struggling against the short ball, as well as the make up of their bowling attack. They will look to answer some of those questions today.
The concern with Sunrisers Hyderabad leading into IPL 2020 was their middle order. What would happen after their top three? Can their middle lead them to victory? Their collapse against RCB in their tournament opener turned those fears into reality, and then seeing RCB capitulate against KXIP would not have improved the mood. If Kane Williamson is fit, does he play in place of the injured Mitch Marsh? The calls are growing louder, so like KKR, SRH need to figure out their team composition sooner rather than later.
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
David Warner was out in unlucky fashion vs RCB. He is always a threat in IPL, and KKR know this, as he has the most runs in KKR-SRH matches (533, avg. 44.42).
Jonny Bairstow, who scored 61 (42) vs RCB, loved the KKR bowling in IPL 2019. His two scores against them last season: 39 (35) and 80* (43).
Andre Russell will be in the spotlight as KKR look to bounce back. He strikes at 164.52 when he plays for KKR against SRH, and this includes a superb 49* off 19 balls against this opposition in 2019. However, he averages just 15 against them. Can he improve on this?
Sunil Narine is also in the spotlight. He struggles against the short ball in his time as an IPL opener: 76 balls, 13 dismissals, an average of 7.53. But, SRH don’t have express pace bowling, so he could benefit.
Also, Narine and Kuldeep Yadav each have 10 wickets against SRH – the most of any current Kolkata players.
Shubman Gill failed in his first match of the season, but he remains one to watch. In seven innings as an IPL opener, he has scored 243 runs at 40.50, with three fifties.
Manish Pandey is crucial for SRH. He enjoyed a strong 2019 season, where he scored 344 runs at an average of 43.00 (SR 130.79). However, can he overcome his underwhelming record vs KKR? (9 matches, 138 runs, avg. 19.71).
Does Mohammad Nabi come in for SRH? If so, SRH will be bringing in an experienced off-spinner, who took 12 wickets in as many games in the recent CPL.
Shivam Mavi showed great signs in his opening game of IPL 2020, taking 2/32.
Will SRH play Khaleel Ahmed? He has the kind of pace that could trouble Sunil Narine. Also, Khaleel took 19 wickets in just nine matches in 2019, including 3/33 vs KKR.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has the most wickets in SRH-KKR matches (19).
Can Pat Cummins bounce back? He has been out of touch dating back to the England series, but he has the class to bounce back.
IPL 2020 Match 8: KKR vs SRH Preview Dream11: Andre Russell to have a big game?
Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 17, KKR 10, SRH 7.
No team has won consecutive matches against the other in the last nine matches. SRH won the last game against KKR, so will it be KKR to win today to keep that trend going?
Rashid Khan has dismissed Andre Russell three times in 25 balls in IPL cricket. However, Russell strikes at 184 against him. It promises to be a good battle, should it happen.
David Warner struggled against the express pace of Jofra Archer in England. So, there is a case for KKR to test Warner right away with pace via the likes of Pat Cummins and Shivam Mavi.
Kuldeep Yadav has taken just four wickets in his last 10 IPL innings, so this is an important game for him. Could he have success today against SRH’s middle order, which struggled badly against Yuzvendra Chahal?
Possible Playing 11
Prasidh Krishna is waiting in the wings and can bowl a good yorker. Also, it remains to be seen if KKR stick with Nikhil Naik or bring in Rahul Tripathi.
Mohammad Nabi or Kane Williamson? If Williamson is fit enough, SRH could be tempted to play him given the collapse in the last game vs RCB.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 2. David Warner (c), 3. Manish Pandey, 4. Priyam Garg, 5. Kane Williamson/Mohammad Nabi, 6. Vijay Shankar, 7. Abhishek Sharma, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Sandeep Sharma, 11. T Natarajan/Khaleel Ahmed
Abu Dhabi Pitch and Weather Report
The two scores at Abu Dhabi so far in IPL 2020 are 162/9 and 195/5. Both the team setting a score and chasing have won one game each. However, the team batting first has been most successful in IPL 2020, winning the last six matches since CSK successfully chased 163 vs MI in the first game.
The Abu Dhabi track is expected to be another good one for batting, with a grass covering expected. The weather will be hot again, with dew to come in later in the evening. So, the captain who wins the toss will have a challenging decision to make.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
IPL 2020 Match 8: KKR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
IPL 2020 Match 8: KKR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction
Fancy a bet on the cricket? today.
Match Prediction
Strong score by the team batting first to seal a win? It has been the trend in IPL 2020 so far, and both sides will perhaps look more comfortable setting a score. If KKR’s powerful middle order can come to the party, they will be very hard to beat.
Mithali Raj went on record to share player’s anxiety and lack of clarity that has surrounded the Indian Women’s team due to Covid-19 outbreak. After BCCI pulled out from the England tour in September due to the pandemic, Raj says that there’s been this anxiety about what the future looks like.
Specifically, Mithali Raj said that currently, the team doesn’t know what they’re training for.
“There needs to be a purpose. Before, we used to plan for any international series if it is an away-going tour, so players would accordingly prepare. And if it’s a home series we prepared accordingly, but now we don’t know why we train. So, sometimes we do feel there’s no sense of purpose if we don’t have competitive cricket or any international series, even domestic for that matter”, she said to ICC 100% Cricket virtual discussion.
Raj’s has played her last international match was in November against West Indies and she was about to join the inter-state senior women’s one day league for her domestic side Railways in late March. But, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, every plan was cancelled.
Former India T20I captain Mithali Raj announced her retirement from T20 in September last year. She last played a T20 international against England in Guwahati in March 2019. The veteran batsman will continue to be India’s ODI captain.
“As far as the mental setup is concerned, we did have a few sessions with a sports psychologist: talking to the players, as a team [too], we were on calls. Those things do help [because] as seasoned, as senior players we understand how to tune ourselves. But the most important thing in the current situation is the young players or the players who are in the age-groups, who’ve just made their debut. For them it’s even more important to settle their anxieties and anxiousness they develop thinking about their future”, she said.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
New Zealand has got the green light from the government for hosting summer internationals vs West Indies and Pakistan. Also, it is expected that the regulations could be extended for Bangladesh, Australia men’s and women’s teams and England women’s side early next year.
However, due to long quarantine norms given out by Australia and New Zealand, NZ’s limited overs tour of Australia, scheduled for early 2021, has been postponed. The news comes as the pandemic also forced the ICC to postpone T20 World Cup that Australia was to host in 2020.
“Cricket Australia looks forward to working with our good friends at the Afghanistan Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket to deliver the matches at a time when, hopefully, the restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have eased,” CA’s interim chief executive officer Nick Hockley was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au, after the Australia-Afghanistan Test was postponed.
“It’s a huge boost for us, it’s our financial lifeline. International cricket funds the whole game in New Zealand so it’s very important. It won’t come cheap, we’ll be footing the bill, but we are happy to do that”, NZC CEO David White said.
The isolation process has been planned phase-wise after the New Zealand players return from on-going IPL. The players will reside in three days of quarantine in hotel rooms after which they will begin their bio-secure bubble stay in size up to 15 by the end of the two-week period during which they will be testing for Covid-19 multiple times.
“That 14-day managed isolation at both sides of the Tasman is a challenge,” White said. “We’ve worked with Cricket Australia on that will be fulfilling our obligations the following year.”
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
Kane Williamson is probably one of the few cricketers in the world who can make the transition from one format to another with great ease. He may not be as flamboyant as Virat Kohli or Steve Smith, but Kane sure has the ability to adapt to any situation. This made him a great addition to IPL and SRH.
Williamson even led the SRH side to finals in the absence of David Warner in 2018. In that edition of IPL, he scored 735 runs at an astounding strike rate of 142.44, averaging over 50 in the process. But with the skipper David Warner and keeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow at the top, Williamson is finding it difficult to find a place in the side.
The reason is that they can field only two more overseas players, one of which is always Rashid Khan. Even as we saw in 2019, Williamson sat out of a few games when both of their overseas openers are playing.
Why does Williamson have to play?
When SRH took on RCB in their first match, they suffered a batting collapse after the dismissal of Bairstow. While it was unfortunate and a bit unlucky as their 4th foreign player Marsh suffered an ankle injury and could not come out to bat in his designated position, SRH’s middle order looks very thin.
SRH should play Kane Williamson
David Warner said Kane Williamson had suffered a quadriceps injury and this was the reason for his absence. Indeed, the vulnerability of the batting order was exposed once their top three was back to the dugout.
The debutant Priyam Garg did not look at ease. Vijay Shankar was off-color and the pressure got better of Abhishek Sharma. Yes, they missed the services of Mitchell Marsh, but the stability in the middle order seemed missing.
So this is where the need for Williamson is felt even if the top two are overseas players. They have the luxury with the bowling department and have quality Indian options. Even in the first game, they didn’t feel the absence of Marsh as a bowler. The Indian bowlers fought back admirably in the death so there is room for Williamson at the top if he is fit enough.
Imagine a side with Williamson to go with Bairstow and Warner at the top – they will have a much more experienced and stable middle-order. The tracks in UAE support his style of play and if SRH is hoping to go the distance, the Kiwis skipper has to play more often than not.
