IPL 2024: Top five player battles to watch out for in CSK vs LSG
The reigning champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), commenced their journey in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) with a strong start, securing two consecutive victories. However, midway through the group stage, they have encountered a setback, losing three out of five matches. Consequently, their position has slipped to fourth in the standings, tallying 8 points.
In their recent fixture at Ekana Stadium, CSK suffered a defeat against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Now, they are poised to face LSG once again, this time at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, instilling confidence in their ability to seek redemption with a triumph on home turf.
Top five player battles to watch out for in CSK vs LSG
1.KL Rahul vs Matheesha Pathirana:
LSG’s skipper, KL Rahul, stood out as the Man of the Match in the previous game against CSK, showcasing a stellar performance with 82 runs off 53 deliveries. While he dominated most CSK bowlers, he struggled against Matheesha Pathirana, conceding only 13 runs off 11 balls and being dismissed once. Expect MS Dhoni to strategically utilize Pathirana against Rahul in the upcoming match.
2.Quinton de Kock vs Deepak Chahar:
Quinton de Kock exhibited a remarkable fifty in the previous encounter with CSK, scoring 54 runs off 43 balls. However, he faced a challenge from Deepak Chahar, managing only three runs off five deliveries. Chahar has proven effective against de Kock in the past, dismissing him thrice in IPL history while conceding 109 runs in 83 balls.
3.Nicholas Pooran vs Ravindra Jadeja:
Nicholas Pooran poses a significant threat with his ability to change the game’s dynamics in a short span. However, he has shown vulnerability against left-arm spinners, making Ravindra Jadeja a potential threat, especially on a turning pitch. With Jadeja’s track record of dismissing Pooran once in 28 balls while conceding 46 runs, he could play a crucial role in containing Pooran’s onslaught.
4.Shivam Dube vs Mohsin Khan:
Despite facing a rare failure in the previous match against LSG, Shivam Dube remains a key player, particularly on slower pitches like the one expected at MA Chidambaram Stadium. LSG might entrust Mohsin Khan to contain Dube, considering his past success of dismissing him once and conceding 33 runs in 21 balls.
5.Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Ravi Bishnoi:
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad shoulders a significant responsibility as his team navigates through a challenging phase. Gaikwad has performed well with the bat in IPL 2024, especially in Chennai. However, he has struggled against leg-spinners, making Ravi Bishnoi a potential threat. Bishnoi has dismissed Gaikwad once in 11 balls, restricting him to 17 runs.
19:30 IST
