Chennai aim to bounce back after rare blip

After suffering an eight-wicket defeat against Mumbai Indians, table-toppers Chennai Super Kings will be keen to get back to winning ways when they face a resurgent Delhi Daredevils in an Indian Premier League match here today.

The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai side was hammered by Mumbai at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday. However, the yellow brigade continues to maintain the top spot in the points table.

While Chennai has five wins from seven games with 10 points in their kitty, Delhi languishes at the bottom with just a couple of wins from seven games and four points.

Despite Saturday’s defeat, Chennai will be looking to continue their dream run in the league.

Most of the CSK batsmen — Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Dwayne Bravo and skipper Dhoni — are in form. Suresh Raina found his touch with the willow as the southpaw smashed a 47-ball unbeaten 75 against Mumbai, comprising six fours and four sixes. While Rayudu has amassed 329 runs from seven games, averaging 47, Dhoni and Watson have accumulated 235 and 203 runs respectively.

The Chennai batters have fired on more than one occasion, guiding CSK home. The yellow brigade has the ability to put a massive total on board or chase any challenging target.

In the bowling department, Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar have been impressive, leading Chennai’s pace attack.

Also, all-rounder Watson has six wickets with an economy rate of around eight. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir, medium-pacer Dwayne Bravo and leggie Karn Sharma have also made breakthroughs for CSK at crucial moments.

On the other hand, Delhi will be high on confidence under new skipper Shreyas Iyer, who led his side to a thumping 55-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders.