CSK are in a spot of bother as they seem to have lost that momentum that they had gathered in the early part of the tournament.
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Their bowling department has been found it this year, especially at the death, where Bravo and other bowlers haven’t been able to dish out the perfect lengths or lines.
However, the path won’t be easy as they will face a stronger side Sunrises Hyderabad (SRH) in the encounter on Sunday (13th May).
SRH is looking the most comfortable side this season as they are the only team to qualify for the playoffs yet.
CSK beat SRH in their previous fixture this season. CSK must be looking forward to winning the match and secure a spot in playoffs.
Here we look at the predicted XI of CSK for this game:
Openers (Ambati Rayudu, Shane Watson)
Ambati Rayudu has been the most effective batsman for the franchise this season. He has scored a lot of runs for the team despite his batting position. But at this crucial stage of the tournament, the management wouldn’t like to do any experiments on his batting position. Rayudu is likely to open for the rest of the matches.
Shane Watson loves to play fast bowling and has given good start many times to the team. He has already a century to his name this season.
He has scored 367 runs so far in this season and is striking at 153.56 which is absolutely astonishing. He is most effective at the top order so his position as an opener remains the same.
Middle Order (Suresh Raina, Sam Billings, MS Dhoni (c & wk))
When it comes to IPL, there is no one better than Suresh Raina at No.3. He has been the most successful batsman in IPL history and his position is always the fixed. He adds very much to the batting strength and has been in a good form this season.
Sam Billings has done well to find a place in playing XI. However, after the match-winning knock in his very first game this season, he hasn’t done well and was dropped even. But he was recalled in the last game to bring depth in the middle order. He might get another chance in the game against SRH.
MS Dhoni is the second highest run scorer for the franchise this season. He is in a red-hot form and smashing every bowler out of the park. He is batting at No. 4 this season and should continue to bat on at that position. The more overs he plays, the more is the benefit for the team.
All-Rounders (Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja)
Dwayne Bravo is a great T20 performer and a death overs specialist. He has got some quick runs off the bat and bowled some really great spells. However, he is not in the prime of his form but the captain has not much to worry about. He is a champion player who knows how to come back well.
Ravindra Jadeja seemed off colors for a long time but the skipper has shown enough confidence in him. It is already clear that the all-rounder is in the team for bowling as he is not promoted to bat up the order. Jadeja’s world-class fielding is also an argument to find him a place in playing XI.
Bowlers (Imran Tahir, Deepak Chahar, Harbhajan Singh, Shardul Thakur)
Imran Tahir could be drafted into the side considering the spin on offer at Pune, He would replace Willey, who didn’t look in good form in the last game, leaking runs in the powerplay and at the death.
However, if the pitch doesn’t assist spin, Ngidi could be drafted into the XI as well.
Deepak Chahar is back for the team at the right time. He has been a very effective bowler for the franchise this season. His inclusion into the side will add great strength in the bowling department. Karn Sharma, who bowled only one over in the previous game, might be replaced.
Shardul Thakur performed for the team constantly and there is no question of dropping him. He has shown some consistency and leaking fewer runs.
