*DC VS CSK PREVIEW- MATCH 67*
*THE BUILD UP:*
There is complex mathematics at play, and Hussey feels simplification is the best way out of this muddle, the cliched - give it your best shot and ignore the rest. As per the genuises at work, a CSK loss today could potentially open up more spots and keep the points table wide open for other teams, in the reckoning, to strengthen their case whereas a CSK win will be a clear cut solution to the MSD led outfit sealing a Top2 spot. They have their fate in their own hands, it’s only a matter of how the XI men in yellow come out and express themselves today and with which mindset are they willing to play.
DC, on the other hand, have a brilliant opportunity to finish on a high note. They surely had a campaign to forget and despite shocking some of the better matched outfits this season, they did not turn up collectively. Today, in their final game which is advantageous since it’s at their home, a redemption story must be written which will go on until the coming season, starting with their Indian contingent in the batting performing and making a mark. It’s hard enough for any team to succeed when the Indian batters are repeatedly failing as it breaks the back of the team.
A tasty contest awaits us as two teams planning to achieve exact opposites, are going to clash.
*CSK PROBABLE XI:*
Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana
Ben Stokes, is expected to leave the CSK camp after this game and with Moeen Ali not firing with the bat, Chennai would be tempted to unleash Stokes for the very last time. But given Dhoni’s backing of his players, he may not bring about any changes to the XI and may stick to the usual despite Moeen not playing as expected with the bat in hand.
Deepak Chahar has the wood over his counterpart Prithvi Shaw. The aggressive opener has been dominated by the swing bowler, dismissing him about 6 times and with Shaw coming on the back of a comeback fifty, this battle early on in any of the innings could prove to be an intriguing one which will be kept a close eye on.
MS Dhoni is likely to play his last game in Delhi as per reports and a Dhoni special finish at one of the smallest grounds of the season is all CSK fans would ask for.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Maheesh Pathirana, Junior Malinga, is expected to come in as the impact substitute. But if CSK bat second, this role could be played by Shivam Dube who is harnessing a finger injury.
*DC PROBABLE XI:*
David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Phil Salt, Rilee Rossouw, Sarfaraz Khan, Yash Dhull, Axar Patel, Aman Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Khaleel Ahmed
In each of Ruturaj Gaikwad's last six dismissals, he has fallen to a spinner turning the ball away from him. Both Axar and Kuldeep will keep a keen eye on this weakness and would look to exploit it as they naturally turn the ball away from RHBs
Warner strikes at over 135 against Theekshana but the mystery spinner has gotten the better of the left handed bat on 3 occasions in 6 innings. Dhoni could use Theekshana in the powerplay itself to put Warner, who is a gun for DC, right away.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Ishant Sharma as impact substitute is the but obvious choice for the Capitals given the tall pacer hardly offers anything with the bat. Yash Dhull could play a similar role if DC bat second.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR CSK:*
Highest run getter- Devon Conway/Shivam Dube
Highest wicket taker- Maheesh Theekshana/ Maheesh Pathirana
*FOR DC:*
Highest run getter- David Warner/Mitchell Marsh
Highest wicket taker- Anrich Nortje/Axar Patel
*FOR THIS GAME:*
Would love to see DC compete better vs CSK compared to their last time and I would manifest a DC win to keep the 3 spots for the playoffs wide open. But a CSK win seems most likely.