What

The Chennai Super Kings will look to return to winning ways when they take on Kings XI Punjab in Match 18 of VIVO IPL 2019.

The Super Kings’ campaign received a jolt when their three-match winning streak was halted by the Mumbai Indians. MS Dhoni’s side were blown away by Hardik Pandya, who first scored a breezy 25 off 8 balls and then followed it up with a three-wicket haul.

While CSK often don’t react and make drastic changes after just one loss, there is no denying they have problems to address. Ambati Rayudu’s campaign this season has been a non-starter; he has made 28, 5, 1 and 0 in four knocks this season. Rayudu’s failures have meant CSK have not been able to take advantage of the fielding restrictions and have instead had to consolidate first.

CSK have not always fielded the four overseas players they’re allowed to use; in three of their four matches this season, they’ve only fielded three overseas players – this despite having quality players such as Faf du Plessis and Sam Billings in the squad.

Kings XI Punjab come into this match after registering back-to-back wins at home. There must be a lot of belief within the KXIP camp; twice this season, they’ve pounced on unexpected openings and converted lost causes to wins. The KXIP players, who played four matches in eight days, must be well-rested and raring to go following a four-day break. Chris Gayle, who tops the run charts for KXIP this season, missed the previous match, and it remains to be seen if KXIP bring him back into the XI.

When

6 April 2019, 4pm IST

Where

MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Previous Match XIs:

Chennai Super Kings:Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Mohit Sharma, Imran Tahir.

Kings XI Punjab:KL Rahul, Sam Curran, Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, David Miller, Mandeep Singh, Hardus Viljoen, R Ashwin, Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb ur Rahman.

Protagonists

Ambati Rayuduneeds a big score very soon; the 33-year old has a top score of 29 in his last eleven hits across formats. It was after finishing as the Super Kings’ top run-getter last season that Rayudu earned a recall to the Indian team. Will he be able to find similar form soon?

Among others, CSK need Shane Watson and Suresh Raina to post big scores.

In the latter part his innings of 71 not out against the Mumbai Indians, one felt KL Rahul had turned a corner. But in the next match, he was dismissed for 15 –trapped LBW by an inswinger. Rahul would do well to use the innings against MI as a template going forward; on that particular evening in Mohali, he gave himself a little time, found his bearings and then flourished.

If Universe Boss Chris Gayle makes the XI, he will be a threat – like he always is. Mayank Agarwal has looked good every time he has had a hit;given his form and high levels of confidence, he should now be KXIP’s banker.

Head to Head in Indian Premier League

Overall: Matches – 19, Chennai Super Kings – 11, Kings XI Punjab – 8.

Trivia

The pitches used in the two matches played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium have behaved extremely differently. In the first match between CSK and RCB, spinners took 10 wickets and the quicks took 2 wickets. In the second match between CSK and RR, quicks took 11 wickets whereas the spinners took only 2 wickets.

The Chennai Super Kings have a 14-1 win-loss record in the last 15 matches they’ve played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

The Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab are both undefeated when they’ve batted first this season.

Dwayne Bravo has dismissed Chris Gayle on 7 occasions – more often than any other bowler in T20 cricket.