Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2021
- All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and opener Faf du Plessis delivered excellent performances for Chennai Super Kings.
- Chennai Super Kings registered a comprehensive win over Royal Challengers Bangalore.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad lost their previous game to Delhi Capitals via super-over eliminator.
Chennai Super Kings will be looking to continue their winning momentum when they take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 23rd game of the Indian Premier League.
In the previous match, Chennai Super Kings registered a 69-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore, courtesy all-around heroics from Ravindra Jadeja. With this result, Chennai claimed the top spot in the league table with eight points to their name.
Despite valiant innings from Kane Williamson, Hyderabad fell agonizingly short of an improbable win over Delhi Capitals and lost the game in a super over. With this result, Sunrisers are currently lying at the bottom half of the league table with two points to their name.
Teams' strengths & weaknesses
Chennai Super Kings
After losing their opening game against Delhi, the franchise has made a strong comeback and delivered victories on the bounce in the competition.
Chennai Super Kings will be playing at their first game in Delhi. The side will be looking to adjust to the conditions.
In the batting department, the side will be depending on the opening duo of Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaekwad to get the side off to a good start. In the previous game, openers played well and put on a 74-run partnership.
For Chennai, Faf du Plessis played well and notched up his second half-century of the competition. He was well supported by Ruturaj Gaekwad and Suresh Raina, who produced scores of 33 and 24 respectively.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja produced blistering innings in the later stages against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Left-hander smashed five sixes in the 19th over to shift the momentum in favor of Chennai. He scored 62 not out off just 28 balls to help Chennai post a competitive total on the board.
In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Deepak Chahar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Imran Tahir to make crucial breakthroughs.
Left-arm spinner, Ravindra Jadeja, had an excellent outing with the ball as well. He claimed three wickets and conceded just 13 runs in his four overs. Besides Jadeja, Leg-spinner Imran Tahir bowled well in his first appearance for the franchise and finished with figures of 2 for 16 in his four overs.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
On the other hand, another middle-order collapse saw Sunrisers Hyderabad lose their way against Delhi Capitals.
The team management will need to address their middle-order woes and come up with better plans for this game.
In the previous match, Kane Williamson was the star of the show with the bat. He played exceedingly and scored 66 not out off 51 balls with the help of eight fours. Besides Williamson, Jonny Bairstow continued his excellent form and smashed a quick-fire 38 with the help of three fours and four sixes.
The rest of the batting order failed to adjust to the conditions and gave their wickets away at regular intervals. The inclusion of Virat Singh and Kedhar Jadhav didn’t work as the duo perished for low scores.
In the batting department, the side will be relying on the experienced trio of David Warner, Kane Williamson, and Jonny Bairstow to deliver the bulk of the runs.
In the previous match, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was dropped from the playing XI as management is looking after his bowling workloads. Left-arm orthodox spinner, Jagadeesha Suchith, bowled well in his first game for Hyderabad.
Siddharth Kaul was the pick of the bowlers and claimed 2 for 31 in his four overs. Besides Kaul, Leg-spinner Rashid Khan had an average outing with the ball in hand and claimed one wicket against Delhi Capitals.
Players to watch out for
Chennai opener Ruturaj Gaekwad has got a couple of starts this season. He will be looking to convert it into something big. He managed to spend valuable time at the crease and gained much-needed confidence from his knock of 33 (25) against Rajasthan Royals.
Game Statistics
Given their head-to-head record in the Indian Premier League, Chennai Super Kings have the upper hand with 11 victories to their name. On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad have register victories on four occasions.
In their previous four meetings between the two teams, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings have managed to win two games apiece.
Predictions
Based on recent performances, Chennai Super Kings will be clear favorites to win their game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. With the likes of Faf du Plessis consistently producing runs for Chennai at the top of the innings and bowlers delivering another clinical performance, the side will be looking to continue their unbeaten run in this fixture.
On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad will have put in an improved batting performance to compete with Chennai in this game.
Expect Chennai Super Kings to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad and extend their lead at the top.