Well-oiled CSK look to attack SRH’S vulnerable middle order
HYDERABAD:OVER the years, Chennai Super Kings have flourished as a well-oiled T20 outfit under MS Dhoni and it has been no different in this edition. Perfect planning has seen them win seven of their eight games, putting them on top of the standings with 14 points.
Most CSK players have managed to live up to their roles. At different junctures, they have put their hands up and pulled the team out of trouble.
Harbhajan Singh and Imran Tahir led the charge on a dicey Chepauk wicket to skittle out RCB for just 70 in the tournament opener. Dwayne Bravo bowled an excellent last over against Rajasthan Royals, to hand CSK an eightrun win. The spin trio of Harbhajan, Tahir and Ravindra Jadeja conceded just 61 runs in 12 overs to play a key role in CSK’S 22-run win over Kings XI Punjab. Against Kolkata Knight Riders, Deepak Chahar returned his best IPL figures of three for 20 to reduce them to 24 for four from which they never recovered.
Royals had the return leg in their hands till Jadeja and Mitchell Santner hit a six off the first and the last ball in the final over by Ben Stokes to snatch victory.
Their Tuesday’s opponents, Sunrisers Hyderabad, have no such luxuries. While their bowling has been in top gear, same can’t be said about their batting, especially the middle order. After winning three of their first four matches, Sunrisers have lost their last three games and on all those occasions the batsmen have floundered.
They are too dependent on the opening partnership of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow. They once again gave Sunrisers a good start in the last match against Delhi Capitals but after their dismissal, Sunrisers lost
their way, losing eight wickets for just 15 runs.
One positive for them will be the return of skipper Kane Williamson, who looked rusty in the last match, but will have to get back into the groove if Sunrisers are to keep their play-offs hopes alive. Dropped from the last match, Manish Pandey and Yusuf Pathan are expected to return to the line-up.