Okay, now Sunday always offers the best in IPL action and this weekend will be no different, as we’re set for some high-octane clashes tonight. Chennai Super Kings will host the table toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad at their adopted home ground in Pune. Sunrisers Hyderabad is currently the only team to have qualified for the IPL 2018 playoffs while Chennai the closest ones to qualify second.
While the rest of the teams are busy competing among themselves, Chennai and Hyderabad are a cut above the other 6 teams and have enjoyed the top positions right from the start of the season. Chennai have 7 wins from 11 games while Hyderabad have 9 wins from their 11. Clearly, we’re in for a good match when two top teams meet each other. If you ask me, Hyderabad look slightly more balanced a team at the moment.
Teams
What can I say about the SRH bowling department? There’s not a single bowler who hasn’t been brilliant this season. The last game was a slightly off one for Kaul and Bhuvneshwar as they got tonked around the park by Pant and the other Delhi batsmen but Williamson and Dhawan proved that they have a strong batting line up as well. If I was Dhoni, I’d ask my batsmen to capitalize on Bhuvi and Kaul’s bad last outing and target these two early on, not letting them get their confidence and rhythm back.
Sunrisers is a team on a mission at the moment, having won 6 games in a row now, and opponents trying to figure out ways to beat them. For sure, batting second against them is not the way to go about it so CSK will want to bat if they win the toss and put up a score at least 20 above par as CSK don’t have the best bowling resources. Shreevats Goswami was a much better choice as compared to Saha and I’m expecting him to keep his place even if Saha is fit.
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Hales was brought in to balance the team and bring in more strength to their batting. To add to that, Shikhar Dhawan is back in form so the CSK bowlers will be looking for 3 early wickets of Dhawan, Williamson and Hales if they have to win, as the middle order hasn’t been great. I’m expecting Dhoni to bring his best in this game.
Overall
Let’s not forget that not many times in the history of the Indian Premier League have Chennai lost two consecutive games. This year too, they have bounced back each time they have lost a game. Again, I’m expecting Chennai to bounce back from their loss against Rajasthan and win this game.
