After playing 58 games in two different countries in two different months of the year and in two different conditions, we have our final four teams for the play-off stages – Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore & Kolkata Knight Riders. First up, are the table toppers who get two shots at reaching the finals. It’s time for Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings.
Both teams are having a great season so far. Both teams have played some outstanding cricket. Both teams have been very consistent. Both teams are coming in with an in-form opening pair. Both teams have good batting depth. Both teams have a lot of variety in their bowling. Both teams have lost their previous games. Both teams have won the IPL… Oh wait!
CSK have won it 4 times, Delhi have always been trying to.
Maybe that’s where CSK’s advantage lies?
Chennai are one of the most successful teams in the IPL. They have been there and done that, won that. And they have been doing that. Eat, Sleep, Win IPL, Repeat.
But there are many reasons why Chennai Super Kings have been so successful, as Delhi Capitals’ head coach Ricky Ponting said –
“I think we should be very confident. We have beaten them twice in the league games, but as you know, the playoff games are completely different, and our tournament really starts now “
However, one little thing that really makes a huge difference in these situations is experience. Experience indeed is priceless. Delhi have a good team and they have been in some terrific form. However they have a young bunch of players. CSK on the other hand have played a lot of knock-out games and most of their players have good experience of playing such games. And also, CSK have MS Dhoni as their captain. You cannot discount the advantage of having a captain like Dhoni in a knock-out game. Even though he has not been in the best of form, you never know when he’s ready with another trick up his sleeve that decides the fate of the game.
However both teams will also be a little relaxed as they have another chance of entering the final. That’s some reward for winning consistently. RCB – are you listening?
The loser of this game will play the winner of RCB vs KKR. So it should be a pretty exciting game to watch. Maybe a helicopter shot from MSD’s bat is also on the way.
Also, some CSK vs DC head to head stats and numbers
– Out of the 25 games played between them, CSK have won 15, while DC have won 10
– DC have won all the last 4 encounters between CSK and DC.
– Deepak Chahar has dismissed Prithi Shaw six times and he might just be the key for CSK to break Delhi Capitals’ explosive opening pair.
– K Rabada and Axar Patel have dismissed Faf du Plessis three times each. Even Delhi Capitals have the key to breaking CSK’s opening partnership.
– Out of the last 11 games played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, teams batting second have won 8 times including the last 7 games that have been played here.
– The ground has unequal sizes which brings spinners into play. The average score at this venue has been around 160 while the 180 mark has been breached only twice. But out of all venues this season, this ground has the most batting friendly conditions in the tournament so far.
Probable Line-ups:
DELHI CAPITALS PROBABLE XI – Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Ripal Patel/Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS PROBABLE XI – Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa/Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Josh Hazlewood
So what do you think? CSK OR DC?
