IPL 2019: Spinners look to dominate in exciting CSK v KKR clash

Sooraj Kamath - Writer 22:13 08/04/2019
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  • [Photo credit: @IPL/Twitter]

    A mouth-watering clash is in store for the fans in the Indian Premier League as Kolkata Knight Riders travel to Chennai for what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

    Both teams have lost just one of their five games and have hence collected eight points so far this season.

    Chennai Super Kings enter this fixture after making light work of Kings XI Punjab, while the Knight Riders eased to a win over Rajasthan Royals away from home on Sunday.

    We take a look at the talking points ahead of the big game.

    Are we in for a classic?

    The same fixture last season was one of the best games in the history of the tournament. Windies star Andre Russell powered Kolkata to a total of 202 runs, smashing 11 sixes across the MA Chidambaram stadium enroute to his 35-ball 88. International team-mate Dwayne Bravo was victim to most of the fireworks, going for 50 runs in his three overs.

    However, the hosts managed to complete a spectacular comeback to treat the neutrals to a classic. Shane Watson and Ambati Rayadu provided Chennai a strong opening, but it took a miracle from Sam Billings – who scored 56 runs of 23 balls – to hand them a famous win. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men scored 50 runs in the last 19 balls to achieve the target.

    Given how both the teams are in really good form going into this match, can expect yet another classic? But the bowlers could be the ones to decide the fixture on Tuesday …

    A battle of spinners

    The Chennai pitch is building a reputation for being a slow, spinner-friendly pitch. Royal Challengers Bangalore were bowled out for just 70 runs on this pitch and Punjab managed to muster only 138. Chennai have won all three of their games here and the average of the runs scored by their opponents is just 125.

    Both teams are well-equipped with quality spinners and this game could probably be decided by one of them. Harbhajan Singh – one of Chennai’s best players this season – will be leading the spin attack which also includes the likes of Imran Tahir and Ravindra Jadeja. Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla – who recently tamed Jos Buttler on a slow Jaipur track – will be key for Kolkata. It will eventually come down to which batting line-up will react better to the spin-attack.

    CSK’s death-over woes and Andre Russell

    Russell in unstoppable mood. Image credit - @IPL/Twitter.

    Russell in unstoppable mood. Image credit – @IPL/Twitter.

    Chennai’s only defeat this season came against Mumbai Indians. Chennai’s woeful bowling in the death overs was one massive take-away from that game. Mumbai managed to score 170 runs after they were left reeling at just 112/4 after 16.4 overs. Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard absolutely dismantled a Bravo-led Chennai bowling attack, scoring 58 runs in the last 20 balls.

    The hosts will have to be wary of a certain Russell, who has asserted himself on almost every bowling attack he has faced this season. The Windies international can be brutal at the death, as demonstrated against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab and Bangalore.

    His aggregate score in these three games reads 145 runs from just 49 balls. Russell is clearly in the form of his life and if he is allowed the freedom to express himself, he could cause havoc and emerge as the top performer yet again.

    Team news

    Chennai Super Kings: Faf Du Plessis filled in for an injured Dwayne Bravo against Punjab and he impressed by scoring 54 runs from 38 balls. It could be a coin toss between him and Bravo, depending on the latter’s fitness.

    Kolkata Knight Riders: There are no injuries. Kolkata are expected to field an unchanged 11 from their impressive victory over Rajasthan.

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