IPL 2018, CSK V DD: 5 player battles to look forward to

The Delhi Daredevils finally got their campaign back on track with a thrashing of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous game and the change of personnel, including that of the captain, seems to have worked wonders. That being said, they are in a position in which they need to string together a few victories and tonight they would need to deliver another top performance if they are to win against second-placed Chennai Super Kings at Pune.

The CSK were themselves thrashed by Mumbai Indians in their last game and with Deepak Chahar out injured, they are bound to be changes to the playing eleven. Therein lies DD’s big opportunity to make it 2 in 2 but CSK are a hugely experienced side and have been in great form before that loss against MI. Tonight’s game will also throw up some hugely anticipated battles between players from either side and here is a look at the 5 that will have a big impact on the game.

#5 Shardul Thakur v Colin Munro

Following his failures in the first two games of the campaign, DD’s Kiwi opener Colin Munro was dropped but he was brought back into the side in the previous game and the left-hander looked in good hitting touch, despite not scoring big. He made 33 off 18 and hit 4 fours, in addition to 2 sixes. He would like to carry on from there and get DD off to a scorching start tonight against the CSK.

With Deepak Chahar out of contention with injury, CSK’s most important bowler in the Powerplay is gone and it will be Shardul Thakur who would need to shoulder that responsibility.

Hence, there lies the danger of DD completely destroying CSK in the Powerplays but if Thakur can come up with a good performance, then it could be a different story. He has gone for 9.86 per over in 6 games so far, as opposed to Chahar’s 7.98 and tonight he would be part of a duel that could have a huge bearing on the game. It is certainly going to be interesting.