Clinical CSK aim for top spot
Dhoni-led side will lock horns with uncertain KKR at Wankhede Stadium today
On a roll after back-toback wins, the vintage Chennai Super Kings would look to extend their winning run when they clash with struggling Kolkata Knight Riders in their next IPL match here on Wednesday.
After their abject campaign in UAE last year, the CSK started the season in an ominous fashion, losing to Delhi Capitals by seven wickets in a one-sided affair.
But since then, the MS Dhoni-led side has come on its own with the 'Captain Cool' making the most of his resources at the battingfriendly Wankhede stadium.
Deepak Chahar's brilliance handed them their first win of the season against Punjab Kings it's been a tale of two Englishmen -- Moeen Ali and Sam Curran for the CSK.
Explosive all-rounder Ali has embraced the number three spot with knocks of 36 from 24 (vs Delhi Capitals), 46 off 31 (Punjab Kings) and 26 off 20 in his match-winning show against Rajasthan Royals on Monday.
He is also quietly doing the job with his off-spin with Dhoni cleverly bringing him in the mix in the non-friendly conditions here.
In their chase of 189, Jos Buttler had started to look ominous and sent a goodlength ball from Ravindra Jadeja into the stands as the ball had to be replaced.
Well aware that the dry
ball would turn more than the dew-laden wet ball, Dhoni stepped up his attack with Jadeja and Ali from both ends.
While Jadeja dismissed the dangerous looking Buttler and Shivam Dube in one over, Ali accounted for David Miller, Riyan Parag and Chris Morris in his match-turning 3/7.
The only brightspot of
their abysmal campaign in UAE, youngster Sam Curran has also made some impact both with the bat and ball.
Be it his 15-ball 34 against in a losing cause to Delhi Capitals, or his bowling in the Powerplay, Curran is giving Dhoni many options.
Against a side which will
play its first match of the season at the Wankhede, smarting from two successive defeats, the Dhoni-led CSK will start as overwhelming favourites against KKR as Eoin Morgan is all set to ring in some changes to revive their campaign.