IPL Match Preview: DC v/s CSK

Match-day 4 of the DLF IPL will see Hyderabad-based Deccan Chargers face off against defending champions Chennai Super Kings at their adopted home ground in Vishakapatnam.

CSK, led by M.S.Dhoni, will have to get their miserable performance against Mumbai Indians – in the opening game of the fifth IPL edition – out of their minds before the visit to Vizag. ‘Captain Cool’ Dhoni has to revive his players’ morale to get a win against the Chargers and set their points tally ticking, after a middle order collapse against MI meant that they were bowled out for a meager 112, resulting in a comfortable win for the Mumbai side. The match not withstanding, the two-time champions start as possible favourites to lift the IPL trophy for the third time in a row.

Deccan Chargers, having had a forgettable stint at the player auction before the IPL, will look to start on a winning note in their first game against champions CSK. The side has an uphill task in their first game itself, as they face a capable Chennai side, while in the absence of skipper and star batsman Kumar Sangakkara. Having lost key players in English international Kevin Pietersen and spin bowler Pragyan Ojha in the transfer window, their season doesn’t promise to be much better than their auction was. Even if they are to find a spot in the top half of the standings, come the end of this edition of the IPL, the team will have to be at its very best to compete with and conquer other sides, most of whom look to be better on paper.

Head-to-head:

The two teams have locked horns with each other eight times over the last four seasons, from which both the teams managed four wins each. In their last encounter on May 1, 2011, CSK managed a comfortable win thanks to a half-century by Suresh Raina.

Played 8: DC – 4, CSK – 4

Players to watch out for:

Deccan Chargers:

1. Dale Steyn

With Ishant Sharma sitting out due to injury, the responsibility on the shoulders of this South African pacer is more than ever. A talented bowler who can get the ball to swing even at high pace, Dale Steyn will be key to any chance that Chargers are to have of an entry into the play-offs. The team will look to him to provide the crucial early wickets against CSK tonight, if DC are to restrict them to a low total.

2. Amit Mishra

With the departure of Pragyan Ojha, the onus is now on leg spinner Amit Mishra to contain CSK in the middle overs. Perhaps the DC bowling unit could take a lesson or two from the MI bowlers on how to restrict the Super Kings to a low total.

3. Cameron White

The Australian national C. White would most likely be handed the captaincy tonight with the usual skipper K. Sangakkara not available for the game. In addition to the responsibility of the arm-band, he will be looked upon to strengthen the batting line-up which otherwise doesn’t boast of many world-class players.

Chennai Super Kings:

1. M.S.Dhoni

Captain cool, apart from helping the team with his composure and cool judgement in the toughest of situations, can provide Chennai with some hard hitting late into the game and push the score up by more than a few runs. Needless to say, he can also assist in a few dismissals from behind the stumps.

2. Albie Morkel

A good bowler and a decent batsman, Albie Morkel can be an important factor in the equation of the match tonight. The value of an all-rounder is very high in the shortest format of cricket, and you don’t often get better packages than Albie Morkel. If utilized correctly, he can be a match-winner.

3. Suresh Raina

A batsman with immense talent, Suresh Raina is capable of turning any game around in his team’s favour with his wide range of attacking shots. Touted by many as the future of Indian cricket, he already has won enough games for his side for opponents to take note. The short ball considered as his weakness, it would be interesting to see Raina face Dale Steyn, though the pitches here in Vishakapatnam are not known to provide much bounce to the ball, and that should give Raina an advantage.

Predicted result:

On paper, Chennai Super Kings look likely to beat DC comfortably and comprehensively. Complacency seems to be the only threat for CSK.