Super Kings will strive to break out of mid-table jam
Following its thumping 78run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings will look to move clear of a tight mideld pack of teams when it takes on a mercurial Punjab Kings at the MAC Stadium here on Wednesday.
The Super Kings bounced back in style against SRH with a clinical performance. Ruturaj Gaikwad continued his merry run while Daryl Mitchell nally found form. More importantly, the host took wickets, thanks to Tushar Deshpande, in the PowerPlay, an area where the side has struggled often this season.
However, the form of Ajinkya Rahane continues to be a cause of concern, and there is a case to be made for giving someone like Sameer Rizvi an opportunity.
Meanwhile, the Kings arrived in the city in a buoyant mood after their sensational record-chase of 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders. The win was set up by openers Prabhsimran Singh and Jonny Bairstow, both of whom nally came to the fore after an underwhelming start to the season. If the top-order can be more consistent, it eases the burden on Shashank
It remains to be seen whether CSK will give Rizvi one more opportunity.
Singh and Ashutosh Sharma, who have had to do the heavy lifting with the bat.
If Shikhar Dhawan returns — a call on his availability will be taken on match day — it will bolster Punjab’s chances. But the side’s bigger worry is its bowling, as the pace attack has leaked runs like a sieve.
Having won just three games, it is a do-or-die match for the visitors, and a loss could well end their hopes of qualication.