IPL 2018: Match 52, DD vs CSK, Preview - Despirited hosts aim to challenge the Super Kings in a dead rubber

MS Dhoni and his Men will be eager to seal their place in the top two.

Published - 17 May 2018, 21:08 IST | Updated - 17 May 2018, 21:08 IST

2 Min Read

Delhi Daredevils (DD) will face the confident outfit of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the match 52 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday. The result of the game is consequential as it won’t affect any team and the hosts would be playing for pride in front of their home crowd. Despite being qualified for the playoffs, the Men in Yellow will be looking to seal their place in the top two in the points table. However, it will be the battle between the exuberance of youth and the veterans in the shortest formats of the game.

Shreyas Iyer will be somehow hoping that his players step up to the task and put up a brilliant show against one of the strongest sides in the tournament. The overseas stars of the team are yet to contribute significantly and they will need to perform well as the tournament is nearing its end for them. Also, the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant will have to continue playing in the same vein and intensity to keep the pressure on MS Dhoni and his Men. The bowling attack is also an issue for Delhi and even that needs to be sorted out for them ahead of this game.

The coach Stephen Fleming has often lamented the fact that they’ve not been bowling well at the death. He will be hoping that they come to the party in the next couple of matches when there will be less pressure on the unit. Their batting has done all the work this season and has time and again come out on top. While the openers are giving them quickfire starts, the middle-order has just pounced in on the advantage and finished the matches. They are a champion side filled with the veterans and would like to continue the winning momentum as well.

Toss: Chennai Super Kings won the toss and opted to field

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Sam Billings, MS Dhoni(w/c), Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Lungi Ngidi

IN: Lungi Ngidi. OUT: David Willey

Delhi Daredevils (Playing XI): Prithvi Shaw, Glenn Maxwell, Shreyas Iyer(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Vijay Shankar, Abhishek Sharma, Harshal Patel, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Lamichhane, Trent Boult

IN: Glenn Maxwell and Avesh Khan.

Team Combinations

Delhi Daredevils

It is likely that the Daredevils will give an opportunity to yet another U19 star Manjot Kalra and also include the off-spinner Jayant Yadav. They are the only ones in the squad it seems who are yet to play a game this season. They have nothing to lose now and can play the fearless brand of cricket. Abhishek Sharma was also the star in the last game and he too will be looking to get better in this match. Junior Dala has to bowl better and support the Kiwi pacer Trent Boult who has bowled his heart out for his team.

Chennai Super Kings

The Men in Yellow would look to give another chance to Faf du Plessis at the top of the order and make Rayudu bat at number 4. The latter has been too good opening the innings though but he has also performed when shifted down the order. The remaining line-up should be same as Dhoni wouldn’t like to make so many changes after having a near-perfect game against SRH. Though he would want his bowlers to improve as much as they can in the next couple of matches.

Focus will be on

Shreyas Iyer (Delhi Daredevils)

Shreyas Iyer has managed to lead the side well so far and the extra responsibility hasn’t affected his batting. The youngster has proved himself and will be eager to lead from the front after missing out on playing a big innings in the recent past. He has so far scored 386 runs in 12 outings at an average of 42.89 and his strike rate has boosted up to 139 which is exciting. It will be interesting to see the way he approaches this game with the bat and his leadership as well.

Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings)

Suresh Raina has scored three half-centuries so far this season but that killing instinct is still missing in his batting. He has looked menacing at times but has been often guilty of throwing his wicket away by playing poor shots. This is a good chance for him to find his groove ahead of the playoffs and get himself going in the crunch games. He is the best number 3 in the history of the tournament and is touted as a big-match player. No wonder Dhoni will be banking on him to come good in the middle-order.