Chennai Super Kings will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at Dubai International Stadium in a game that both can I’ll afford to lose. The second half of matches get started and from here on every victory will be a step towards playoffs and a loss will be two-step backwards. CSK have won only twice in seven matches and as Dhoni mentioned in the post-match conference of last game that their team is like a sinking ship where they try to plug one hole and water comes out from other holes.
The last time #SRH and #CSK met, the former won by 7 runs. Will it be CSK today?
Here’s our preview by @ameyatilak https://t.co/hO1idjixpN #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/u2N9ab9V57
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 13, 2020
One from top six should score big and stay at wicket till the end but that not has been the case and by the time power play finishes CSK are woefully behind the eight ball game. Once Watson and Duplessis fell early the pressure is on CSK middle order and they are not able to find the way back into the game. They would also be looking to win toss first and bat as chasing is becoming difficult as the tournament is progressing. Their top-order have to show intent and bat well for the next seven games to get an entry into top four.
Fleming and Dhoni have to bring out best from their batting resources to have any chance of coming back. Their bowling has been good but not outstanding as they have leaked runs at death,67 in last 4 overs against RCB. As they have been forced to chase so bowling should execute their death bowling plans better. Their fielding has been average except Du Plessis, even Jadeja has not been upto his usual lofty standards. CSK have to win six out of seven remaining matches to be sure of a playoff spot and with way, players have been performing it looks unlikely.
They have to take it one game at a time and try to win every moment in every match. Hyderabad on other hand is in a slightly better position with three wins from seven matches. They have followed a set plan of getting to 155-160 score and then trust their bowling to defend it. They lost their last match against Royals where they could not defend 60 in last 25 balls but there will be days where bowlers would not execute their plans. If bat first they should look to take the score to 165-170 which will give them 10-15 run extra cushion for bowlers.
Warner, Bairstow, Manish have to take the onus on them to bat deep so that the players following then can throw their bats to get them to par plus score. Their bowlers would want to forget the last four overs of bowling against Royals and would feel that they still have it in them to defend. Even if they are bowling first they should look to restrict team to 150-160 and then look to chase it down. Their fielding has been generally good and would like to minimise the mistakes on the field to make it tough for opposition batsman.
Toss would play a part as second innings pitch does get slower. CSK does not give any sort of confidence so Sunrisers start as favourites.
