IPL 2018, SRHvsCSK: 5 reasons why CSK will defeat SRH

Chennai Super Kings are going in strong into the Playoffs. After defeating SRH by a fantastic margin, this season of the IPL has been an excellent comeback for the CSK team after a break of 2 years from the tournament. 

CSK, who already beat SRH, at both the encounters during the group stage this season has made some improvements to the squad while SRH is already falling behind despite the team being on top of the table. Let us have a look at five reasons why CSK could beat SRH.

 

1.  Deepak Chahar's performance with the bat

 

 Deepak Chahar has taken this season by surprise with his performance not just with the ball but also with the bat. In their last match against SRH, Chahar hit a whopping 39 from only 20 balls. He has also picked up 8 wickets from the 9 games he has played this season with an average of 24. 

He will add to the much-needed lower end batting order for CSK. 

 

2. Dhoni and Rayudu's form 

 

 Both of these experienced batsmen has stepped up this season with Rayudu opening for the team and Dhoni finishing at 4 down. Ambati Rayudu has scored 586 runs in 14 matches with an average of 45.07 and at a strike rate of 153.40 this season. On the other hand, MS Dhoni has had an average of 89.90 which is the best this season. While Dhoni and Rayudu are having one of their best seasons in their IPL career, Chennai Super Kings will look to capitalise on their form. 

 

3. SRH's middle order is falling apart 

 

SRH have been over-dependent on Kane Williamson and Shikhar Dhawan this season with their middle-order batsmen like Yusuf Pathan, Manish Panday and Shakib Al Hasan. Manesh Panday is the only middle order batsman in the team who has managed to cross a gross of 200 runs this season which implies that the middle order is not doing very well for the team. If Chennai Super Kings managed to get the openers off the pitch soon, they might sail through the match. 

 

4. Sunriser's recent performance with the ball 

 

SRH have fancied the best bowling side in the tournament, but lately, it looks quite the opposite. 

SRH  had conceded more than 170 runs in only 2 matches in their first 10 matches but for the last 4 games, they have conceded more than 170 runs in every single game. 

In the last two matches against CSK, SRH bowlers have had an economy of 9.28 which has been the most expensive their bowlers have gone in the entire season. 

This could mean that the CSK batting side could as well dominate SRH once again. 

 

5.  L Ngidi's comeback with the ball

 

After being benched for the first few matches due to an injury, he had returned home to attend his father's funeral. Ngidi came back with a fantastic spell picking up 3 wickets in the first 3 matches with an economy of 8. His quick pace and bounce despite slow wickets will play an essential role against SRH in Mumbai.