IPL 2018, Qualifier 1: 5 reasons why Chennai Super Kings can beat Sunrisers Hyderabad
The extravaganza of IPL started more than six weeks ago, with two franchises Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, returning to the tournament after a two-year exile.
To add more happiness to the millions of fans who were waiting for their favourite teams to return for the last two years, both the returning teams have made it to the playoffs.
While Chennai Super Kings handsomely finished second on the table, Rajasthan Royals just scraped through as a consequence of favourable results in other matches.
Chennai Super Kings, who have won 9 out of the 14 matches, will now be facing the table-toppers in the 1st Qualifier.
While both the teams would want to be the first team to make it to the finals, but as of now, it's advantage Chennai Super Kings, who have won twice against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in league stages.
Here are 5 reasons why CSK can be the first team to enter the finals:
#5 Lungisani Ngidi's return from injury
Lungisani Ngidi has been a great inclusion to a bowling lineup which has struggled to deliver more often than not.
The inclusion of Ngidi has changed the whole bowling set-up, and the two-time champions look set to clinch their third trophy, with a bowling lineup which has put up impressive performances in the fag end of the tournament.
Ngidi missed the initial part of the tournament to attend his father's funeral in South Africa. After returning to India, he picked three wickets in his first three matches, with an economy rate of less than 8, but had to sit out for nearly two weeks to nurse an injury.
Returning from the injury, Ngidi has been exceptional as he picked up six wickets in two games. His best figures of 4-1-10-4, came against Kings XI Punjab in Chennai Super Kings' last game of the league stage.
With Ngidi looking good in the last two matches, the bowling lineup of the Chennai-based franchise looks more potent, and they will look to make some early inroads against top-heavy Sunrisers' batting lineup, in order to become the first team to make it to the playoffs.