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WHAT’S AT STAKE:
SRH – The Sunrisers have to win the four remaining matches and hope all other results go their way as well. Even then, their chances of making it to the playoffs are extremely remote.
CSK – Table-toppers CSK can open a 2-point gap against the second-placed Delhi Capitals with a victory.
The Sunrisers spoiled Rajasthan Royals’ party in the last game. Jason Roy, who replaced the out-of-form David Warner, got his IPL running right from the word go. His 60 along with Captain Kane Williamson’s 51* gave Sunrisers only their second victory in 10 games.
While they managed to overcome the Royals, CSK are a different proposition altogether. MS Dhoni’s men haven’t lost a single game since the IPL resumed. Even though they only won the previous game against KKR right off the very last ball, they are the team to beat this IPL.
SRH’s biggest problem has been their middle-order. They tried tinkering with it in the last game, and while Abhishek Sharma scored a few runs, Priyam Garg’s first-ball duck doesn’t inspire confidence.
Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, will be looking to nail a top-two spot when these two sides meet. A victory will see them get to 18 points, and none of the teams below RCB in 3rd can reach that mark.
It’ll also be interesting to see if Chennai decides to rest a few key players and test their bench strength ahead of the playoffs. With Sam Curran going for 56 runs in his first match post the resumption, CSK could bring back Dwayne Bravo if he has recovered from the niggles he picked up during the CPL.
Having got nothing to lose, SRH could play party poopers for a number of teams and CSK will be wary of the threat Roy & Williamson possess. If Chennai can keep them quiet, they’d have already won half the battle.
