Chennai concerned with death-over bowling
Eye win over consistent table toppers and seal play-offs
The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings will be desperate to return to their winning ways when they face table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad in an Indian Premier League tie at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium today.
Chennai, who sit at the second spot in the points-table, are yet to qualify for the playoffs as the yellow brigade suffered a four-wicket loss against Rajasthan Royals in their last encounter on Friday.
Hyderabad, on the other hand, have already sealed a play-off berth and will be eyeing another win to consolidate their position.
On Friday, a combined batting effort by Suresh Raina, skipper M.S. Dhoni and opener Shane Watson helped Chennai post a fighting total of 176 against Rajasthan. However, the bowlers led them down as Chennai failed to defend a good total.
So far, batsmen are the major reason behind Chennai’s success as they have been in top form this season however, death-over bowling still remains a concern.
Most of the batsmen — Ambati Rayudu, Australian Shane Watson, West Indian Dwayne Bravo, M.A. Dhoni and Suresh Raina — have contributed whenever the team needed.
Rayudu has batted well both as an opener and at number four, amassing 435 runs from 11 innings. With 393 runs from 10 innings, Dhoni has also shown glimpses of the past. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who struggled in the first half of the league, emerged with a matchwinning figure of 3/18 against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The pace attack will once again rely on Lungi Ngidi, David Willey and Shardul Thakur.
On the other hand, another win for Hyderabad will hand them their seventh consecutive victory this season.
The Kane Williamson-led side is currently in red-hot form. In their last encounter, Hyderabad hammered Delhi Daredevils by nine wickets while chasing a massive total of 188 runs.