Its match 18 and it Chennai super kings vs Kings X1 Punjab.
Chennai Super Kings are coming back from a loss against Mumbai Indians. CSK were humiliated by Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede. Despite the loss, Chennai team despite the loss they look a very balanced squad. They have got 3 wins in their kit bags and one loss. They were exposed by Mumbai Indians as they were not able to get going in the game.
As they say, Lion is back in its Den and so are Chennai super kings are back in Chennai in the MA Chidambaram stadium. They have humiliated RCB by bundling out them for poultry 70 runs they beat Rajasthan Royals quiet comfortably as well and now it’s the turn of Kings X! to face the heat.
Kings X1 Punjab looking great this year they have already won 3 games out of 4 and they are 3rd in the table. They have turned the things around in this IPL. Last game they held their nerves and got over the line against but thanks to biggest batting collapse in the history of IPL by Delhi capitals. Sam Curran took 1st hattrick of this years IPL in the same game.
KL Rahul has looked in great touch but doesn’t have great numbers to back it up. Ashwin has led the team from the front. He has been tactical in his bowling changes, field placements, and his skillful mankading to get Jos Buttler out was a game turner which they eventually won. David Miller is been in fine touch he has scored the bulk runs in the middle order for the kings X1. Mayank Agarwal is still yet to make a mark in Punjab Colors. He has looked hit and miss in this edition as well.
CSK’s bowling department has been their best so far apart from the last game. MS Dhoni has cleverly used Deepak Chahar at the top and used all his 4 Overs In successive games. MSD has his options cut out and they have a long list of injuries to his squad. The latest one is DJ Bravo. There is no short of experience in this Chennai squad. They have everything in their armory to get the job done.
Kings X1 Punjab doesn’t look settled. In their bowling department. Their bowlers have leaked a lot of runs even Mujeeb has been on the downside this season. Ashwin, as usual, has been tricky to handle as he is the only consistent bowler with less economy.
Where to watch: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
ON TV: Star Sports network
Time: 4 PM IST
Probable XI: Ambati Rayudu, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (c, wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur/Mohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir
Probable XI: KL Rahul (wk), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, David Miller, Mandeep Singh, Sam Curran, R Ashwin (c), M Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb ur Rahman
Press conference:
I am not concerned about the form of Rayudu and Watson. Watching them at the nets, they are preparing really well at the nets. Both are hitting the ball extremely well. I am convinced that there is a big score just around the corner – Michael Hussey
Ashwin is a thinking cricketer. He’s someone who really thinks about the game. He brings that into the team. A lot of thought and a lot of planning, about why we are playing a batsman or a bowler, comes from him. He’s defining roles and that helps the individual. He’s excited to be here in Chepauk. He knows the wicket in and out – Mayank Agarwal
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