IPL 2021: KKR vs CSK – Match 15, How can Chennai Super Kings continue their good form with a win today?
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Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are on a roll at the moment. Their deep batting line-up has come good in all of their matches while bar the first match, the bowling attack has looked impressive as well. Following the horror show in last season’s Indian Premier League (IPL), this is exactly the kind of start the Men in Yellow would have wanted for this edition of the tournament.
CSK go head-to-head today against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) who had a good start to the tournament before two consecutive losses has led to them finding themselves in a bit of a pickle. A win today could turn things in their favour yet again and give them the much needed confidence, but CSK would be a hard nut to crack.
Despite CSK being favourites, they would still have to get a few things right to win this encounter. On that note, we take a look at how CSK can beat KKR today.
IPL 2021: KKR vs CSK – Key for CSK #1: MS Dhoni must bat with more intent
MS Dhoni hasn’t look at his best in the two matches where he has walked out to bat. Batting lower down the order than usual, the CSK skipper got out for a duck in the first match before coming up with a slow innings in the win against RR. Even as the side needed to up the ante and get some momentum ahead of the death overs, Dhoni’s innings slowed down the run-rate a bit.
Dhoni himself acknowledged this and said at the post-match presentation, “Glad we scored 180, I thought we could have got more. The first six balls I played could have cost us in another game.” Thus, it would be of great help to CSK today if Dhoni shows a bit more intent and bats with more freedom instead of going by his usual formula of batting slowly and then going berserk at the death.
IPL 2021: KKR vs CSK – Key for CSK #2: Use bowlers based on match-ups
CSK used their bowlers excellently in the win over RR when they used Ravindra Jadeja against Jos Buttler before bringing in Moeen Ali to attack the host of left-handers in the opposition’s batting line-up. It was a perfect example of using bowlers based on match-ups and one can expect the same to continue today as well.
KKR have a reasonable amount of left-handers in their batting line-up like Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan and Shakib Al Hasan. Using Moeen against these players could work well for the side, while Jadeja can be used against the other batters. If the spinners get going today like they did in the previous match, CSK would be on top.
Also Read: IPL 2021: Why Punjab Kings are destined to fail
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Nevin Clinton
(2399 Articles Published)