IPL 2018: Match 56, CSK vs KXIP, Preview - Kings XI face the stiff challenge of going past Chennai in a must-win game

How did it boil down to this situation for the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP)? They were well-placed after winning 5 out of the six matches and then somehow lost their way completely. Now they will have to beat the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their den away from the den by a huge margin to qualify for the playoffs. Though they will have a target in front of them as far as the NRR is concerned as it is the final league game of the season. However, the Men in Yellow are unlikely to make it easy for them given that they will also be looking to have a perfect game before the playoffs.

MS Dhoni did not make much fuss about their loss against Delhi Daredevils (DD) and believed that they couldn’t have much done about the slow pitch which kept on deteriorating as the game progressed. The one thing which will go their way in the knockout stages is that the games will be played on the batting stripes unlike the one in Kotla the other night. Though he will be worried about his death bowling as even the likes of Dwayne Bravo has tailed off as the tournament has progressed.

Kings XI have taken some debatable decisions during the games this season which has not helped their cause. The lacklustre middle-order has left the openers frustrated as they are not able to play freely. Though KL Rahul has kept on defying the odds for his team, Chris Gayle has been unable to play his natural game. They will need both of them to fire together in this match else the season will end for the visitors which had started with a bang. The bowlers apart from Andrew Tye have been poor and can’t afford any more slip-ups now.

Toss: CSK won the toss and elected to bowl first

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

IN: Faf du Plessis; OUT: Shane Watson

Kings XI Punjab (Playing XI): Lokesh Rahul(w), Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch, David Miller, Karun Nair, Manoj Tiwary, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin(c), Andrew Tye, Mohit Sharma, Ankit Rajpoot

IN: David Miller, Karun Nair; OUT: Yuvraj Singh, Marcus Stoinis

Team Combinations

Chennai Super Kings

The hosts would be keen to try out a couple of benched players in this game as MS Dhoni mentioned in the post-match presentation the other night. It is very much likely that Dhruv Shorey might get another opportunity after Sam Billings failed to score in the middle-order. Also, a couple of bad games for Harbhajan Singh means he will miss out on a place in the playing XI to make way for Imran Tahir. The rest of the line-up should remain the same unless there are last minute injuries.

Kings XI Punjab

Kings XI would be eager to strengthen their middle-order and Karun Nair should be back who has played decently so far. Manoj Tiwary might make way for him after playing no role in the last encounter. Also, Mujeeb Ur Rahman should be fit again to make a comeback in place of Marcus Stoinis. Despite all the changes, the onus will be once again on Rahul and Tye to take the team home and that too under the demanding circumstances according to the NRR. Finch found some touch in his previous outing and even he can turn the game on its head on any given day.

Focus will be on

Shane Watson (Chennai Super Kings)

Shane Watson struggled in the last game on a slow pitch and will be keen to hit the straps ahead of the playoffs. He has amassed 438 runs so far this season at a brilliant strike-rate of 147.47. He has packed a punch especially at this venue and it is possible that he gets going again from the word go for CSK. Watson has already had one of the best IPL seasons, and it will now be about closing out with a bang. Much will depend on how he fares in this game at the top of the order.

R Ashwin (Kings XI Punjab)

Undoubtedly all eyes will be on Ashwin. While his leadership skills were being lauded in the first half of the season, he has been found wanting at times when his bowlers have gone for runs. He bowled well by taking responsibility at the death and scalped the crucial wickets. But he will have to do more than that in this game and manage to bring the best out of his side somehow. No wonder he will be under pressure going into this match and the champions are known to thrive in these circumstances.

Head to Head

Played- 18, Chennai Super Kings – 10, Kings XI Punjab – 7, Tie- 1 (KXIP won the super over)

StatAttack

149 – Shane Watson needs one six to complete 150 sixes in the IPL. He will be the 10th player to reach the milestone in the history of the tournament.

Broadcast details

TV– Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Jalsha (Bengali), Star Maa Movies (Telegu), Star Sports Tamil

Online– Hotstar & YuppTv

Match Timings: 20:00 IST, 14:30 GMT

For more cricket news and other stories, visit Crictracker.com.