The perfect finish awaits at Puje for the league stages. It is going to be the batsmen game altogether as both teams got massive hitters in their ranks. Probably, the game between Chennai and Pune is going to reveal the final 4 teams who are going to take the further part in IPL 2018.
Chennai Super Kings – Looks to head into playoffs with a win in a backpack
It has been a tourney for CSK where a new problem has been raised in every other game. But, the main concern of the team has been the death bowling issue which already cost them a couple of games off late.
The batting department has been the biggest positive for Chennai Super Kings but unfortunately, they couldn’t get it right in the previous encounter against Delhi when the leg-spinners wrecked havoc. However, pitch played its part and CSK doesn’t mind it as skipper quoted.
Coming to the bowling department, Chennai Super Kings has got the world class bowlers in their ranks but the execution part has been the missing factor in the camp. Though spinners are doing their job to the perfection, it is fast bowling department who are bleeding runs at death overs.
However, with the conditions being a bread and butter for Chennai Super Kings, one can expect them to give a good send-off for their adopted venue.
Kings XI Punjab – A do or die encounter
Kings XI Punjab would like to get into the game by keeping all the remaining games aside. In order to seal a playoffs’ spot, Kings XI Punjab should completely outsmart Chennai Super Kings in all departments of the game as Net Run Rate is going to play a key role.
The batting section is purely dependent on openers of the game, especially, KL Rahul. Chris Gayle seems to have lost his touch with the willow while the middle-order lineup has been wayward. Aaron Finch joined the party in the previous encounter but a real match-winning knock is due from big Australia.
Most probably, their mystery spinner, Mujeeb Zadran should come back into the team in order to counter the likes of Rayudu and Watson who are wrecking havoc on a consistent basis. Ashwin bowled beautifully in his previous appearance and need to maintain it against his ex-franchise.
However, it would be interesting to see how Kings XI Punjab will come up against one of the strongest teams in the season.
Match Details:
Possible Playing XI:
CSK: Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Sam Billings, MS Dhoni(w/c), Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Lungi Ngidi
Pitch Report: It is going to be batting paradise with some initial moment for fast bowlers.
Weather Report – A thunderstorm is in the forecast. Hopefully, a game would be possible.
Date & Time – 20th May 2018, 20:00 IST
Venue – Maharashtra Cricket Association, Pune
Live Telecast – Star Sports Network, Jio and Hotstar Premium Customers