IPL 2018: Three key battles in CSK vs SRH playoff match

In the first playoff match of IPL 2018, at Wankhede Stadium, two-time champions Chennai Super Kings will take on the 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad, and the winner will stay on in Mumbai for the final on Sunday.

The men in Orange were the first to qualify for the playoffs but have lost three league games on the bounce. Dhoni's CSK have also not had a dominating run in the second half of the tournament. However, both teams will know that one good game on Tuesday will seal a finals berth.

In every big game, it's often the mini battles that will decide the final outcome. So let us take a look at those key contests ahead of the qualifier 1 between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings.

#1 Ambati Rayudu vs Sandeep Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Ambati Rayudu has played a lot for other teams in IPL but his best performance with the bat has to be in the yellow jersey in 2018. Before the season began, there was a feeling from experts and fans alike that Rayudu's time was almost over and confusion as to why CSK management bought him at the auction. The right-hander has repaid the faith shown in him by playing some memorable knocks, both at the top and in the middle order.

The Sunrisers bowling has tapered a wee bit in the last few games but that has been their strength which has brought them till the playoffs. The tussle between Rayudu and the new ball bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Sandeep Sharma, could very well set the tone for either team.

Rayudu would love to take on the quicks during the Powerplay in order to give the team a headstart. Sunrisers would hope that the new ball swings, and if it does, both opening bowlers could become dangerous. This battle will go a long way in deciding the winner.