IPL 2019: Key battles to watch out for as CSK host SRH
The battle for the playoff spots in the IPL is intensifying with each and every game as the tournament enters its most crucial phase. Two teams in the thick of things high up the table will face off in a rematch of last season’s final. Chennai Super Kings have hit a bit of a snag in their quest to qualify for the playoffs spot, having lost back-to-back matches. But their impressive form at the start of the tournament has meant that they still have 14 points in 10 matches with a second spot on the points table. Sunrisers Hyderabad also had a bit of slump in the middle of the campaign but have recovered impressively, winning back-to-back matches and are now placed fourth on the table with 10 points in 9 matches.
Here we look at the key battles in the match which will determine the outcome of the contest.
Jonny Bairstow vs Deepak Chahar
Deepak Chahar has been a highly impressive performer in this year’s IPL. He has constantly troubled the batsmen with the new ball in his hands and his uncanny ability to move the ball regardless of the conditions of the pitch. He has picked up 13 wickets in 10 matches with an outstanding economy rate of 6.89. The way he set up RCB skipper Virat Kohli to get his wicket was a thing of beauty and would be a sight for anyone who appreciates the art of swing bowling. He will face one of the toughest tasks of his young career against SRH though, as he will come against arguably the most devastating opening partnership in the tournament – Jonny Bairstow and David Warner. The English wicketkeeper-batsman has been in blistering form this summer, obliterating many bowlers. In 9 matches, he has scored 445 runs at an average of 63.57 and a strike-rate of 158.36. Bairstow will also be motivated to leave with a bang as this will be his final match with the franchise this season. He will soon leave for national duties with the English team ahead of their World Cup campaign. An enticing battle awaits between two of the star performers this season.
Rashid Khan vs Imran Tahir
The pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium has proven to be a heaven for the spinners with the turn and bounce it has been offering so far. This will perfectly set up the stage for two of the most willy leg-spinners in the world – Rashid Khan and Imran Tahir to leave their mark on the match. Both spinners have bamboozled the opposition with their variations for a long time now and this edition of the IPL has been no different. Rashid, despite not picking up the sheer amount of wickets as he did last season, has still been highly effective containing the batsmen at one end. He has picked up 9 wickets in 9 matches at an exceptional economy rate of 5.61. Imran Tahir, on the other hand, has been CSK’s most attacking weapon, ageing like a fine wine and peaking at the age of 40. He has picked up 16 wickets in 10 matches so far at an average of 14.00 and an outstanding economy rate of 5.89. The onus will be very much on these spinners to put their respective sides in a commanding position.
