Last time when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royals Challengers Bangalore (RCB) met, Chennai Super Kings won a last ball thriller. Bangalore who posted an imposing 206 runs were well poised to win the match, but some lusty hitting by Albie Morkel in the 19th over helped them in denying what was a looking inevitable.
After that match, both the teams did play quite a few matches and did perform to their reputation of pre tournament favorites. The result of their previous outing would not be in consideration much when these titans clash against each other today at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Here are few players who would be keenly watched as they have the potential of the changing course of the match within a short span of time:
Chennai Super Kings:
Suresh Raina: He is one of the most successful batsmen in the history of IPL but this time around, Raina has not been able to leave his mark on the tournament yet. He is well aware what his team expects and would be itching to deliver on the expected lines.
Francois du Plessis: The most successful batsmen of Chennai Super Kings this season, du Plessis is on a spree. He has been playing amazingly and has already played some match winning knocks. His ability to take the attack at the top of the order is what makes him even more dangerous.
R Ashwin: He is one bowler on whom Dhoni believes a lot .He knows that and has bowled the way everyone expects him to bowl and will once again lead the spin bowling pack for the CSK.
Shadab Jakati: Chennai pitch is very well suited to Jakati’s style of bowling. He is a wicket-to-wicket bowler and never gives batsmen any room to hit. He has a healthy neck of picking wickets and can be very effective on slow wickets.
Royal Challengers Bangalore:
Chris Gayle: This man needs no introduction. Even though he missed out on the last match, he still is RCB’s highest run getter this season and also has hit the highest number of six. He is playing a little differently this year. He is taking some time to settle and once he sets his eye he launches his onslaught. This new approach has made even more dangerous and RCB would want him to perform big if they want to avenge their loss.
Virat Kohli: Kohli came into the tournament with huge expectations from him, but till now he has not been able to live up to them. Kohli is a big player in the RCB team and they will want this talented batsman to find his feet soon.
Zaheer Khan: Zaheer Khan has not performed the way everyone expected him to. It’s not that he is going for too many runs, but going by what he has achieved in the past, he is not doing justice to his talent. He certainly will have to lift up his performance for the team’s cause and everyone knows it is a just a matter of match and he can change the tides.
KP Appanna: He turned out to be an unexpected hero in their last game against Rajasthan Royals. He ran through batting line up picking up four wickets. He would definitely looking forward to repeat his feat and Chennai would be wary of that.
By Samikshan Dutta Choudhury
Indian Sports News