IPL 2019, Match 50: CSK vs DC – The battle for supremacy
It will be a clash of the titans as two of the most consistent units – Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab will confront each other at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Both teams have qualified for the playoffs but will hope to continue the momentum heading into the final stretch. There will also be the added motivation of sealing a top-two spot which brings the added bonus of earning two shots of making it into the final.
DC currently sit at the top of the table with 16 points in 12 games. CSK also have the same number of points as DC but are second on the table courtesy of an inferior net run-rate. With a number of world-class performers and on the back of consistent form this season, the encounter between the top two sides promises to be a mouth-watering clash.
Here we look at a few interesting things to watch out for in the contest:
All eyes on the Chepauk pitch
The pitch at the Chepauk will be under the scanner. (Image: IPLT20.com)
The pitch at the Chepauk has been the center of attraction throughout the IPL. More often than not, it has been low and slow and less than conducive for a T20 match. But there were exceptions though, as the wicket during CSK’s match against SRH was a sporting one in nature.
If a similar pitch is produced for this match, it could turn out to be an even contest between the two sides. Delhi have many stroke players in their lineup and they would love for the ball to come on to the bat. But if the wicket turns out to be dry, CSK will have an obvious edge with quality spinners like Imran Tahir, Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja in their setup.
Time to test the bench strength?
The likes of Mohit Sharma might get a game for CSK. (Image: Twitter)
Both CSK and DC have a more or less settled playing XI as the tournament enters its final phase. But with both teams now qualified for the playoffs, they may well be tempted to give a couple of their key players a well-deserved rest and keep them fit and firing for the crucial games ahead.
Chennai Super Kings may well decide to give some playing time to the likes of Karn Sharma, Scott Kuggeleijn, Mohit Sharma and Shardul Thakur who have not been regular starters for the franchise this season. The players will need some rhythm if the situation arises due to an injury and they need to play in the playoffs.
DC too may decide to give a chance to the likes of Colin Munro, Harshal Patel and Avesh Khan to test their form ahead of the playoff matches.
If the teams indeed decide to rotate, it will be interesting to see which side has the better bench strength in their ranks.
Battle of the wicketkeepers
It will be interesting to see who comes out on top in the battle between MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant. (Image: IPLT20.com)
All eyes will be on Dhoni and Pant, as two of India’s most glamorous players will face off against each other. Pant has long been viewed as the long-term successor to MSD for India in all the three formats of the game. He has already picked up the mantle from the legendary keeper as far as the longest format of the game is concerned.
Pant will now be keen to show the world that he is more than ready to step into Dhoni’s shoes as far as the other two formats are concerned. What better way to showcase this than upstaging Dhoni (back) in his own den?
The Delhi batsman has had an up and down tournament so far with only 343 runs in 12 matches. Dhoni, on the other hand, has been impressive with the bat, scoring 314 runs in 10 matches at a staggering average of 104.66. If Pant manages to play a big knock, the clamour will only grow for him to be given more chances in the Indian side.
