CSK vs SRH: An encounter of the Mr Cools

IPL STROKES

PRANAV MEHTA

It’s an encounter between the top of the table and bottom of the table teams. Sunrisers Hyderabad take on the Chennai Super kings. And it’s almost essential for SRH to immediately start their engine.

Amidst the difficult times in India, due to the massive spike in Covid cases, IPL has worked a great deal as a calming agent. IPL has been India’s favourite festival for the past many years. And when you talk about a festival, you can’t miss MSD, who is nothing less than a cricket god to the Indian fans. Irrespective of his jersey colour, he has been the talk of the town, when he walks in to the ground, and this IPL is no different.

If you have the Indian captain cool (MSD) on one side, then you have Mr Kool as a cucumber (Kane Williamson) on the other side. His presence in the SRH camp, increases the win per cent a great deal.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH SRH?

Since the availability of Kane Williamson, there has been a massive difference in the attitude of SRH. First, they one-sided thrashed Punjab Kings and then they went down fighting in a very close match against DC, in a game that went to the super over.

SRH is massively dependent on Warner, Bairstow and Williamson. The all-Indian middle order has no current Indian national team player as well. Vijay Shankar or as he is called Mr 3D (since his controversial selection in the world cup team); has not been very impressive. He has restricted himself from playing freely and at times has looked out of shots.

Virat Singh, who came in for Manish Pandey, just couldn’t get going in the last game. And when it comes to bowling, even though the spin attack is doing well, but SRH has to be missing the services of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Though Siddarth Kaul has done well, but then he can definitely not be compared to Bhuvi.

HOW CAN SRH STOP CSK’s DREAM RUN?

If Ruturaj and Du Plessis can be cracked early, followed by some hardcore attack by short bowling to Raina and Rayudu and then the spin can do the trick against Dhoni, Jadeja, Sam Curran and Bravo. It’s all way easier said than done. With Thakur coming in at 9, CSK has a lot of depth, which allows them to play freely. And above all, the majority of the old warhorses, play some very smart cricket.

JADEJA THE KEY FOR CSK!

Jaadu adds a lot of value to CSK in all fronts. His clean striking capabilities make him a brilliant finisher. He is very quick between the wickets and super fit. He is a smart bowler as well; he keeps things very simple. His ability to finish the over very fast gives barely any time to the batsman to think. But above all these, his extremely sharp fielding skills makes him a big match winner. One good run out or catch, can easily change the match instantly.

FIRST GAME AT NEW DELHI

Arun Jaitley Stadium, which was previously called Zafar Shah Kotla stadium till 2019, was established in 1883.

The average first inning total is 156, while the average second inning total is 145.

This is the same stadium, where Anil Kumble took his famous 10/74 in an innings, against Pakistan in 1999.

MATCH PREDICTIONS

Considering the current form, CSK should have a pretty comfortable match. 170 is a par score and CSK would take anything over 160.

Both captains should consider bowling first, considering that it’s a brand-new wicket.

Expect Manish Pandey to come back and he would come to all guns blazing to prove a point!