IPL 2018: Final, CSK vs SRH, Preview- Momentum vs Law of averages in the summit clash

Sunrisers haven't been able to beat CSK thus far this season.

Published - 26 May 2018, 21:17 IST | Updated - 26 May 2018, 21:17 IST

4 Min Read

Teams seek motivation and inspiration in order to keep themselves in good stead ahead of a game as massive as the Grand Finale. Luckily for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, they have both. The franchise boasts of cricketers like Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan who have been exemplary for them. As far as motivation is concerned the team can take heart from Mumbai Indians’ journey against Pune in 2017.

Last night, they ceased their four-match losing streak against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The Orange Army will be keen to register their maiden victory versus the Chennai Super Kings after three drubbings at the hands of MS Dhoni’s men in the season, pretty similar as to what Mumbai did to Pune last year. Moreover, their bowlers have mostly been able to dictate terms at the Wankhede Stadium.

On the other hand, CSK have the privilege of experience and a skipper in Dhoni who will be playing his eighth IPL final tomorrow. However, they will take the field following a break of six days, which might have fizzled out the momentum they garnered on May 21. Chennai, statistically, are the favourites, but the momentum is, undoubtedly, with the Sunrisers ahead of the summit clash.

Team combination

Chennai Super Kings

CSK won’t tinker with their lineup and with go with the same eleven. Faf du Plessis will definitely open with Shane Watson, which means that Ambati Rayudu bats at number four. Suresh Raina’s experience of playing in knock-out matches has to come to the fore. Dhoni, who faltered in the last encounter, will want to make amends and guide his team to their third title.

The bowlers were stupendous the other night. The onus will again be on Lungi Ngidi and Deepak Chahar to make inroads into the Sunrisers’ batting early on. Shardul Thakur went for runs on Monday, but SRH can’t afford to undermine him by any means. Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja are likely to shoulder the spin bowling department. Dwayne Bravo’s prowess also hold a lot of importance.

Predicted XI

Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Harbhajan Singh, Shardul Thakur, Lungi Ngidi

Sunrisers Hyderabad

SRH might draft Manish Pandey in place of Deepak Hooda, who hasn’t quite delivered with the bat. Wriddhiman Saha, after his brisk knock, will stay put in his position. Williamson was dismissed for single figures, a rarity, and he can’t afford any complacency if his team is to turn the tables on CSK. Shakib Al Hasan, Yusuf Pathan, Carlos Braithwaite are the remaining specialist batsmen in the lineup.

Rashid Khan will spearhead the bowling without a doubt. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been a tad erratic and needs to find his rhythm at the earliest. Khaleel Ahmed might get another opportunity, which means that Sandeep Sharma remains out of favour. Shakib strangled KKR at the Eden Gardens and the skipper will want him to replicate his form in the game that matters the most.

Predicted XI

Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Kane Williamson (capt), Manish Pandey, Shakib Al Hasan, Yusuf Pathan, Carlos Braithwaite, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed

Players to watch out for

Deepak Chahar- Chennai Super Kings

Chahar’s spell the last time was one of the reasons why the Super Kings were able to curb SRH. He picked up the wicket of Dhawan on the first ball, which began CSK’s domination versus the Sunrisers in the first qualifier. The fast-bowler has hardly let his skipper down and made inroads. The franchise will look up to him for early wickets.

Rashid Khan- Sunrisers Hyderabad

Rashid was spectacular and took his team to the Final on the back of his all-round performance. Chennai strained to decrypt his mysteries and he has to make a significant impact in the ultimate encounter. Moreover, he also has presented himself as more than a handy batsman and may be required to inject impetus to the innings another time.

Head to Head

Played- 9, Chennai Super Kings – 7, Sunrisers Hyderabad- 2, NR/Tie- 0

StatAttack

3-0 – Chennai Super Kings defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in all the three meetings in 2018. No team has defeated an opposition on four occasions in one IPL season.

16 – The 2018 IPL final will be 16th appearance in a Twenty20 final for Dwayne Bravo. Only Kieron Pollard (20) has featured in more T20 finals.