Royal Challengers Bangalore are placed at the top spot in the Indian Premier League 2021 points table whereas Chennai Super Kings sit just underneath them.
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On a batting paradise like it is in Mumbai, what can this contest produce is anybody’s guess. AB de Villiers has been in sensational form and manoeuvred the slow Chepauk track enviously. Glenn Maxwell has broken his rut and has gotten more runs in three outings than he did in 13 in 2020. Contributions from Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli were due. They came at once and showed what happens to the opponents if they arrive together. And Harshal Patel’s death-bowling prowess cannot skip a mention.
CSK bat even deeper than the deepest, and Moeen Ali has taken the onus to break their middle-phase lethargy; while Faf du Plessis’ unbeaten 95 against Kolkata Knight Riders was an exhibition of class meeting brutality. Deepak Chahar and Sam Curran have been making the new ball talk. All that CSK now needs is a Dhoni dash, which was on display for a brief while against KKR.
MS Dhoni, who will be leading CSK, will also be playing the role of the finisher for his team. He will encounter young India and Haryana leg-spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal, sooner or later, and it is the battle between the two that will shape the outcome of this game.
Chahal has impressed with his variations and discipline in limited-overs cricket recently. If he can outfox the wily old Dhoni, there is no denying that the Royal Challengers will gain the upper hand.
On the other hand, if Dhoni takes Chahal to the cleaners, there will be little for Kohli to do other than sitting back and enjoying the show.
Deepak Chahar is one of the best bowlers in the powerplay in the IPL. He has great variations, maintains a tight line and length and is very difficult to get away as his economy rate of 7.23 in the tournament indicates.Â
Chahar could run into the RCB, skipper, Virat Kohli. Kohli has produced an outstanding performance against KKR in the previous match and would be keen to put his best foot forward as the tournament progresses. Kohli was circumspect against Chahar in the first match – will he show him the same respect again in the powerplay?
Du Plessis has been in fine form this IPL and showed what he can do with an unbeaten 95 against KKR. Together with Ruturaj, the duo has just about begun to give CSK some momentum at the top of the order.
Jamieson, an expensive buy for RCB, will be looking to split the pair as soon as possible. If he can do that early, CSK’s struggling middle order will be exposed.
Moeen Ali has been used very wisely by Dhoni in this edition of IPL, he has stepped up when he is asked to. He can get through with his overs very quickly and can chip in with the bat. He will be likely to go up against Glenn Maxwell in the middle overs.
Glenn Maxwell addition to the RCB squad has boosted their morale and batting strength this season. He has already proved to be a match-winner this season.
It will be interesting to see Maxwell’s approach towards Moeen Ali.
Shardul Thakur hasn’t been at his best this edition, he has been quite expensive in the four matches played. Dhoni trusts Shardul to bowl in the death overs, but Shardul has failed to live up to expectations this season.
ABD will look to counter any bowler in the world, his match-winning knock against KKR proved that he has still got it. These two are likely to face each other at the backend of the innings.
It will be interesting to see Shardul’s plan for ABD on Sunday.
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