IPL 2021 preview: Will Sunrisers Hyderabad be able to stop an unstoppable Chennai Super Kings?
The 2021 Indian Premier League is the 14th edition of the profitable Twenty20 league, currently being held in India. Sunrisers Hyderabad is a former IPL champion, having won in 2016. Chennai Super Kings is a former three-time champion, having last won in 2018.
FollowThe Indian Premier League 2021 is entertaining its fans to the fullest amidst the tough time in the nation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. In the meantime, Match 23 would witness former champions Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad clashing at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Wednesday.
CSK is a former three-time champion, and judging by the current performance, it looks like a favourite to win its fourth. As for SRH, despite winning the title in 2016, it has not clicked as a proper title contender, nor has its performance this season been promising so far. Meanwhile, here is the match preview for this tie.
Current form
Both sides have played five games so far, with CSK atop the table with four wins and a loss. As for SRH, it has played five games as well, winning just one and losing four, placed at the bottom of the table. Thus, a clash of the two teams at the pole is always exciting.
Team combination
Considering the teams, CSK has a balanced squad in terms of numbers. Meanwhile, equally balanced in terms of capped recruits also makes the side a formidable one. Furthermore, Faf du Plessis's performance with the bat and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is expected to go all guns blazing.
As for SRH, it is a batting-heavy side in terms of members. However, with an equal number of capped talents in each department, it is strong enough to challenge CSK. Meanwhile, Kane Williamson could be the man who could trouble CSK, along with spinner Rashid Khan.
Injury concerns
CSK does not have any injury concerns. As for SRH, it would be without pacer T Natarajan, who recently underwent knee surgery.
Head-to-head
Considering the head-on clashes, both have played 15 games against each other, with CSK winning 11 and SRH winning four. In the 14 IPL games, CSK leads 10-4, while for the 12 matches held in India, CSK again leads 9-3. It would be their first clash in Delhi.
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Weather and pitch report
As for the weather in Delhi, it would be hot, with a temperature of around 42 degrees and 13% of humidity. For the Delhi track, it would be sluggish. Meanwhile, with the dew factor likely to come in, the team winning the toss would bowl first.
Probable XI
CSK: MS Dhoni (c & wk), Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar and Imran Tahir.
SRH: David Warner (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Abhishek Sharma, Rashid Khan, Jagadeesha Suchith, Siddarth Kaul/Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed.
Fantasy XI
Batsmen: Du Plessis, Williamson, Gaikwad- Du Plessis and Gikwad are sure to give the right start, while Williamson can consolidate at number four.
Wicketkeeper: Bairstow (c)- He is the only man in the department currently in form, making him a must-have and is also the skipper.
All-rounders: Jadeja, Moeen (vc), Shankar, Curran- Jadeja is a no-brainer for his deadly form in all departments, along with Moeen, as the latter's prolificness makes him the deputy skipper. While Shankar is set to fire with the ball, Curran would do it with the bat.
Bowlers: Chahar, Thakur, Rashid- While Rashid is a mist have for his lethal spins, Chahar and Thakur are sure to nail it with their excellent pace.
Match details
Date and day: April 28, 2021 (Wednesday)
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Time: 7.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar
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