Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Delhi Capitals (DC) are set to play the seventh match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 on September 25 (Friday). CSK lost their last match against Rajasthan Royals by 16 runs while chasing 217 runs target. The skipper MS Dhoni was heavily criticized for his captaincy.
Well, Sunil Gavaskar and Kevin Pietersen, the former great batsman, opined that Dhoni had the lack of intent to win that game. He was also criticized for his decision of sending himself at the number seven when the match situation demanded him up in the order.
MS Dhoni had said that they were trying different things out because it’s early in the tournament. So, as they move on to play the next match against DC, let’s take a look at what playing XI Dhoni might enter in the field.
CSK Predicted XI against DC:
Opener: Murali Vijay and Shane Watson
The opening partnership of Murali Vijay and Shane Watson has not been so successful so far. Vijay has been the first time given the role of an opener in CSK with Watson. But Dhoni would back him because he has the potential and has given prolific performance in domestic cricket.
In the match against Rajasthan Royals, Vijay had scored 21 off 21 balls while stitched up 50 runs partnership with Watson but CSK could not win the match. The team would expect from him to give better performance against DC, who had snatched victory from the jaw of defeat in their last match against KXIP.
Middle-order: Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni:
Faf du Plessis had terrific outings in the last two matches. In the match against RR, he scored 72 runs off 37 balls, striking six maximums and one boundary although his knock went into vain. But his outstanding form will trouble the opposition in this tournament.
Ambati Rayudu was rested in the last match as the youngster Rituraj Gaikwad was given the place. Against DC, he would be given the place as CSK look to win that match. Rayudu is the vital cog for the team as Suresh Raina is not playing this tournament. In the season opener against MI, he had very well handled the pressure in the first match against Mumbai Indians, scoring a half-century to lead the team to victory.
MS Dhoni had impressed with his last three sixes in the last over of the match against RR. He had shown that he is still the best at hitting sixes. But the wicketkeeper-batsman has given chances to youngster Sam Curran and others above him which cricket experts have criticized. So, it would be interesting to look at what plan do Dhoni enters in the field against DC after being criticised heavily.
Allrounder: Kedar Jhadav, Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja
Kedar Jhadav is a part-time bowler but Dhoni hasn’t used him for bowling option. In the last match, he failed to get runs on the board while also gave his wicket cheaply. But he is a reliable batsman and knows his job very well. So, Dhoni will likely give him the place in the XI.
The bowling allrounder Sam Curran had not only impressed with the ball but has also helped him in accelerating the innings with the bat. He had hit some mighty sixes against RR and CSK to make the job easier for other batsmen and release pressure. The England batsman will be in the eleven of CSK.
Ravindra Jadeja has proved to be expensive with the ball in the UAE pitches although conditions favour him. Also, with the bat, he is still to showcase his skill in this season. But he is an integral part of the team.
Bowler: Piyush Chawla, Lungi Ngidi, Piyush Chawla, Deepak Chahar
In the first match of Chennai, Piyush Chawal removed the main man of MI Rohit Sharma but against RR, he proved to be the most expensive spinner. Sanju Samson had struck consecutive sixes off Chawal’s spin bowling which might have lowered his confidence. But Chawla has experience under his belt and would come back stronger against DC.
Lungi Nigdi has been the wicket-taking the man for CSK although his no-balls in the last over against RR had put the MS Dhoni-led side under trouble. But the fast bowler is a crucial player for the Chennai and will be in XI.
Deepak Chahar had proven to be more economical than others against the Steve Smith-led side. He even picked the early wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal to put the opposition under pressure. As Dhoni looks to win the next match, the pacer will be in the eleven.