Preview to CSK vs KKR – Match 38 – IPL, 2013 - April 28th

Both the teams come into this match in contrasting styles. CSK is on a high with 6 wins out of 8 games and KKR on the other side is reeling at the bottom three with just 6 points out of 8 games. With CSK’s plan working well so far (Hussey playing the sheet anchor role and the others playing the shots around him). With aggressive batsmen like Raina, Dhoni, Jadeja, Bravo & Morris to follow, they can chase down any total set. Would be interesting to see how Badrinath would hold the innings together, if Hussey gets out early. With CSK’s fielding improving with every game, they again look like the time to beat in this edition. One major area of concern is their death bowling. Giving away 50+ runs in the last 4-5 overs has become a pain area for them and it is high time their think-tank come up with an idea to stem the run flow in the death overs.

KKR on the other hand seems to be finding it tough winning their away games. All their 3 wins this season have come at the Eden Gardens and they would definitely like to pick their first away points today. The good news for KKR is the return of form of Bisla. The man who broke the hearts of all the Chennai fans in the last year final would like to give his time a quick start. Kallis & Morgan looks solid in the middle order and they have to be at their best to tame the lions at their den. Senanayake not playing in this match would be a set back for the knight riders as he had formed a great bowling partnership with the wily Narine.

Key players to watch out for :

MS Dhoni : He would be the one to provide the finishing touches to the Chennai innings. Lot depends on how he would use his bowlers against Bisla.

Hussey : If he stays at the crease till the 15 overs mark, CSK would fancy it’s chances.

Narine : He would love to get the purple cap back from Faulkner.

Bisla : Would love to continue his good run against CSK in Chennai.

My prediction for today: CSK all the way to the top of the table.

My playing eleven for today’s match :

CSK : Vijay, Hussey, Raina, Badrinath, Dhoni, Jadeja, Bravo, Morris, Ashwin, Nannes/Hilfenhaus,Sharma

KKR : Bisla, Gambhir, Kallis, Morgan,McCullum/Haddin,Pathan, Bhatia,Balaji,Narine,Abdulla,Shami Ahmed.