*CSK VS KKR PREVIEW- MATCH 61*
*THE BUILD UP:*
It is now time for Match number 61, as the MSD led Chennai riding high on confidence are all set to lock horns with an underwhelming KKR unit, who have failed to perform collectively like a unit. The hosts have enjoyed a fruitful home season and a return today could give the CSK fans another reason to cheer for their side who are almost through to the playoffs. A win today will seal their playoff berth and they have their stable batting lineup, the emergence of Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande as good pacers and Jadeja to thank.
On the other hand, KKR have blown hot and cold this season and it all boils down to no collective performance and over reliance on individual brilliances. They require to win all games from here, starting from today vs CSK, which isn’t going to be an easy task at all. Their bowling has been a let down with premier pacer Umesh being out of form and their lead mystery spinner in Sunil Narine having a surprisingly mediocre season.
Let’s find out which side triumphs the other.
*CSK PROBABLE XI:*
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(c)(wk), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
Pathirana has taken the most wickets (12) at the death this edition of the IPL and Tushar Deshpande has taken the joint third-most (eight). Tonight with KKR and their six hitting prowess down the order, the role of these two should magnify.
Dhoni has hit the most sixes in the 20th over in the IPL (59). MSD has been charming and dangerous as ever this season, he has given CSK the extra runs they need at the death and with Kolkata’s death bowling under the scanner, their matchup vs MSD is a threatening one for the visiting team.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
With Dube harnessing an injury, we could see him subbed in as the impact substitute if CSK bat second. Pathirana could play the same role if CSK bowl second.
*KKR PROBABLE XI:*
Jason Roy, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (c), Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Shardul Thakur, Sunil Narine, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Varun Chakravarty
KKR's opening pair of Roy and Gurbaz have the best strike rate against spin this IPL and Chennai have done fairly well with their spin options so a feisty battle is on the cards.
Andre Russell has an excellent record vs CSK (309 runs at 168.85 SR) and at Chepauk (203 runs at 150.37 SR). With Pathirana doing particularly well during the death overs phase, I’m interested to see how this contest pans out.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Anukul Roy/Suyash Sharma to play the role of an impact substitute.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THIS GAME:*
*FOR CSK:*
Highest run getter- Devon Conway/Ruturaj Gaikwad
Highest wicket taker- Ravindra Jadeja/Maheesh Pathirana
*FOR KKR:*
Highest run getter- Jason Roy/Nitish Rana
Highest wicket taker- Varun Chakravarty/Harshit Rana
*FOR THIS GAME:*
CSK to win this game