Fight for No:2 Spot??

Currently, both Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings would be eyeing that all-important No:2 spot. That is why today's match becomes crucial. Because it lets Chennai Super Kings not only add 2 more points but prevents the competition from doing so. So it would be a double whammy if CSK wins today.

Also KKR would not have forgotten their opening match defeat. They would be cursing themself for losing from a winning position. So we may not expect any such favors from KKR this time.

CSK Probable XI:
1. Vijay 2.Hussey 3. Raina 4. Badri 5. Dhoni  6. Albie 7. Anirudh Srikkanth 8. Ashwin 9. Jakati 10. Tim Southee 11. Bollinger
Considering that this is a new pitch with that extra bounce, the team might go ahead with Tim Southee in the place of Randiv


KKR Probable XI:
1. Kallis 2. Morgan 3. Gambhir 4. Tiwary 5. Yusuf Pathan 6. Mark Boucher 7. Rajat Bhati 8. Iqbal Abdullah 9. Bret Lee 10. Balaji 11. Jaidev Unakat. 


Most Dangerous Players:
1. Gambhir: New Pitch should aid Gambhir's natural strokeplay. I have a feeling that Gambhir might open the innings today. 
2. Yusuf Pathan: He is the danger-man for CSK. Chennai has to keep him quiet to win this match. 


Prediction: Odds are heavily in the favor of KKR. But if Dhoni/Vijay find their form, CSK will win the match easily - Otherwise it would be a tight game. 

Another home victory for Chennai Super Kings

All round performance from Chennai Super Kings set up another home victory. 11th over in both the innings swung the game towards Chennai. While the 11th over in Rajasthan Royals innings started the turn-around, 11th over in Chennai Super Kings innings won the match for CSK.

Positives:

1. Jakati: After a poor start to the season, Jakati is slowly picking up his form. Today he was the best spinner on the field.

2. Hussey: Slowly and Steadily, Hussey is climbing the run charts. His form is crucial considering that Vijay has been patchy this season

3. Bollinger & Morkel:  Bollinger-Morkel team is getting the job done in the initial four and last three overs. Hope their partnership continues to deliver results for CSK.

Negatives:

1. Vijay: Vijay has the lowest average among the top five CSK batsmen in the batting order. It is time he got more quick-fire fifties under his belt.

2. Randiv: Consistency has been an issue for Randiv. With Bravo coming on May 7, I believe the next match would be the last he would be playing for CSK this season. With increasing maturity, we surely could expect a better Randiv - next season

Fan's Man of the Match - Jakati for that wonderful catch that turned the match for CSK.

Crucial Games for CSK coming up..

After 8 games, CSK have firmly established themself as one of the top four teams so far. But IPL is not yet over. And the team has to play 6 more games. To qualify for the knockout stages, CSK needs to win atleast four of the remaining six games.

Easier way would be to win both the games against Rajasthan Royals and win the other 2 home games. Lose both the games against Rajasthan Royals, CSK's campaign for the top four finish would be all but over. That is why the game tomorrow against Rajasthan Royals is crucial for CSK.

Also considering the weather prediction tomorrow(hot & humid), the toss would play a huge role in the match.

CSK Probable XI
1. Vijay 2.Hussey 3. Raina 4. Badri 5. Dhoni  6. Albie 7. Anirudh Srikkanth 8. Ashwin 9. Jakati 10. Randiv 11. Bollinger


I have an inkling that the team management might play either Faf or Styris in the place of Randiv tomorrow. 


RR Probable XI:
1. Watson 2. Dravid 3. Botha 4. Menaria 5. Ross Taylor 6. Rahane 7. Binny 8. Yagnik 9. Shane Warne 10. Amit Singh 11. Trivedi


Most Dangerous Players
1. Watson: Sometimes CSK have a tendency to let the openers to score freely. But if you let Watson score easily, he will finish the game for Rajasthan Royals.
2. Ross Taylor: Ross Taylor's would prefer CSK's spin friendly attack. He might be one of the reasons that CSK might pick Southee or Stryis to give themself that extra-pace bowler. 


Favorites: CSK are the stronger team on paper. But with Warne at helm, the win would not come easily. 

Deccan Chargers crumble under pressure from CSK Bowling

Chennai Super Kings 165 for 5 (Raina 59, Hussey 46, Morkel 19, Ojha 3-26) beat Deccan Chargers 146 for 8 (Sohal 56, Morkel 3-38, Jakati 2-23) by 19 runs

Another match won by CSK spinners & Bollinger. Both Morkel & Jakati answered their critics through a great performance on the field. This win would give them a huge amount of confidence. 

Positives:

1. Raina: Good to see - Raina scoring runs at a quick rate. 

2. Morkel: His consecutive sixes would be remembered by Ishant Sharma for a long time. 

3. Jakati & Ashwin: It was a great performance by the spinners to bring the team level after Sohail's blitzkrieg. In my opinion, Ashwin 3-run 15th over was the real turning point of the match. 

Negatives:

1. Dhoni: His batting form has been ordinary this season. Hoping his form would pick up in the crucial stages of the tournament. 

Fan's Man of the Match - Jakati. His four overs brought the team back on a level playing field after Sohail's blitzkrieg

Battle between CSK Batting & DC Bowling

Deccan Chargers would be one of the two IPL teams (other team in Rajasthan Royals) that might actually look forward to Chennai's pitch. The team has quality spinners(Ojha & Mishra) who can exploit slow turning pitches and batting unit is always dependent on Sangakkara on any pitch. So they would find Chennai pitch to be more in their favor. 
For Chennai, a win tomorrow would take them back among the top four teams in IPL. So it is a big match for both the teams. 


CSK Probable XI:
1. Vijay 2.Hussey 3. Raina 4. Badri 5. Dhoni  6. Albie 7. Anirudh Srikkanth 8. Ashwin 9. Jakati 10. Randiv 11. Bollinger

If Albie is not fit tomorrow, the team might play Stryis & Southee ahead of Albie & Randiv. 

DC Probale XI:

1. Sohal 2. Dhawan 3. Chipli 4. Sangakkara 5. White 6. Christian 7. Teja 8. Ojha 9. Amit Mishra 10. Ishant Sharma 11. Steyn

Most Dangerous Players:

1. Ojha: Deccan Chargers' most successful spinner in earlier IPL seasons has been cast aside for Amit Mishra. I am sure he will be looking for a point to prove in tomorrow's match

2. Steyn: Steyn is a threat on any pitch he bowls. How Hussey & Vijay negotiate him would decide tomorrow's match

3. Sangakkara: His batting is the rock in which Deccan Chargers' wins are based. CSK needs to get him out early. 

Favorites:  Though Deccan Chargers would fancy their chances, the crowd support tomorrow tilts the scales towards Chennai.