*CSK VS PBKS MATCH 41 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*WHO CAN STOP CSK?:*
CSK has proven everybody wrong. With Dhoni back at the helm of powers delivering peak performances with his captaincy consistently, it’s honestly hard to put an end to Chennai’s magic. Today PBKS have an opportunity but with the kind of form that CSK are in and the fact that this game will be contested on the Chepauk track, I find it hard for any team to go past Chennai’s defenses. Their confidence is sky high courtesy the prowess of their top 4 and moving down, their bowlers have shown that you do not require the startag to keep impressing with magnificent stocks. At this point, a top 2 finish should be inevitable for Chennai and this day game gives them an opportunity to join GT at 12 points.
*CSK PROBABLE XI:*
Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Ms Dhoni(c)(wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Pathirana
We have seen the stocks of Jadeja as a finisher in the limited overs setup dipping and it’s pretty evident this season. With Dhoni still delivering like his old self, it would not be such a bad move to promote him over Jadeja and give himself the cushion of more balls so that more impact could be extracted out of him. This would only help CSK finish stronger.
All of CSK will have to be vary of Rahul Chahar’s incredible record against them (barring the Indian batter Ambati Rayudu). If they play him out well, expect another good outing for CSK as a strong batting group.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
If CSK bowl second, Akash Singh who has been swinging the ball nicely upfront is set to become the Impact Substitute however with them batting first, expect Rayudu to play the same role.
*PBKS PROBABLE XI:*
Shikhar Dhawan(c), Prabhsimran Singh, Atharv Taide, Liam Livingstone, Sikandar Raza, Jitesh Sharma(wk), Sam Curran, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh
Shikhar did not experience the best of returns with his bowlers being taken for aplenty and him departing for a single digit score of just 1. PBKS would hope their original skipper bounces them soon because with him firing upfront, their side certainly strengthens as a whole. His solid record vs the inform Jadeja’s bowling will also help Punjab’s cause if they are to go deep and stay in the competition.
Rahul Chahar and Harpreet Brar vs 4 left handed batters in CSK’s XI could be an intriguing battle to watch out for. This matchup could very well decide the fate of this game.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Expect Shah Rukh Khan to be brought in as the impact sub if Punjab bat second with Arshdeep Singh featuring in as the impact sub if they bat first.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR CSK:*
Highest run getter- Devon Conway/Ruturaj Gaikwad
Highest wicket taker- Maheesh Theekshana/Tushar Deshpande
*FOR PBKS:*
Highest run getter- Shikhar Dhawan/Liam Livingstone
Highest wicket taker- Arshdeep Singh/Rahul Chahar
*FOR THE GAME:*
CSK to win