IPL 2018, DD vs CSK Match Prediction: Who will win today's match between Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Super Kings?
CSK are assured of a spot in the IPL 2018 playoffs and DD will finish bottom this season no matter what happens in the final few games of the season. But that doesn't mean that this will be a boring game with neither side caring enough to put on a show and win the game.
For the Chennai Super Kings, a win will guarantee a top two spot that will give them the luxury of an extra game to qualify for the final. Delhi Daredevils may have nothing to play for but they will want to finish this season on a winning note.
So what will happen in a game that is unlikely to affect the IPL 2018 points table in the grand scheme of things? Here is a look at what might happen in the crucial encounter at Delhi:
Date: 18th May 2018
Venue: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Time: 8.00 PM IST
If Delhi Daredevils bat first
Predicted Score - 180+
Delhi Daredevils know that they will finish at the bottom of the IPL this season and are the only side, who cannot qualify for the playoffs going into the final weekend of matches. Still, a win is something that they will be looking for in their penultimate home game of the season.
Extra Cover: Delhi Daredevils' probable XI to face CSK
With a century and four fifties to his name, this has been the year that Rishabh Pant has shown the world that he is a force to be reckoned with. He has been able to access unusual areas of the ground with shots that few would consider attempting let alone nailing and picking up boundaries.
However, aside from Pant, DD's batting has let them down. Shreyas Iyer is the only other DD batsmen apart from Pant, with more than 250 runs in this year's tournament. Prithvi Shaw got off to a great start but has slowly been brought back to earth. There have been plenty of changes to the batting order and it will be interesting to see if there are more ahead of this match.
All season, this has been about CSK's batting and that is reflected in the bowling charts. No CSK bowler is in the top 15 when it comes to the battle for the Purple Cap. Their leading wicket-taker is Shardul Thakur, who has 11 wickets from nine matches. Against this bowling attack, DD will be unhappy if they finish with anything less than 180, especially considering the form that Pant is in.
If Chennai Super Kings bat first
Predicted Score - 180+
Chennai Super Kings are through to the playoffs. They are all but assured of the second spot and with so much on the line in the games on Saturday and Sunday, this might be the most pointless game remaining this season. But for CSK, this is an opportunity to seal their place in the top two and secure a spot in the first qualifier against SRH.
For Ambati Rayudu it is an opportunity to get back in contention for the Orange Cap. Although he is currently in the fifth spot, he is 117 runs behind the leader, KL Rahul. It is also a chance for Shane Watson and MS Dhoni, who currently occupy the ninth and tenth spot to consolidate their place in the top ten.
It is also a chance for Suresh Raina to add to his tally of 315 and continue his streak of scoring at least 350 in every season of the IPL so far. There are a few question marks over the middle-order, who will get another chance to get back into form ahead of the playoffs.
In a small ground, against a bowling attack that hasn't exactly been on target all season, CSK will look to score at least 180.
Match Prediction
While neither side is in dire need of a win, that might just end up freeing up both teams from any shackles that might hold them back. This will be an entertaining battle between two explosive batting line-ups. But CSK's experience and the fact that they have more players in form might just be enough to have them go into their penultimate group stage clash of IPL 2018 as favorites.
DD vs CSK Live Score
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