CHENNAI: Chennai Super Kings are a near unstoppable force at home. The visiting IPL teams travel to the MA Chidambaram Stadium with a strong motivation to breach the ‘fortress’, but they more often than not leave empty-handed. This season has been no different.
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The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led CSK have won four out of five matches at Chepauk, the only home loss coming against Lucknow Super Giants following an exceptional batting effort by allrounder Marcus Stoinis.
Brimming with confidence after decimating fellow playoff challengers Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last match here on Sunday, CSK will be keen to improve their already envious home record when they host Punjab Kings on Wednesday.
Currently part of a midtable muddle, Super Kings will look to make the most of the home advantage as they chase a top-two berth. It must be considered that CSK have not been up to the mark on the road and will have only one home contest remaining in the league stage post the Punjab fixture (against current table-toppers Rajasthan Royals on May 12). Heading into what could be a must-win clash in the larger scheme of things, Super Kings have plenty to feel positive about.
Ruturaj has been enjoying a purple patch, boasting four 50-plus scores, including two unbeaten knocks, in the past five matches. While the opening batter has been in ominous touch, he has had his fair share of struggles against a particular bowling type.
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With Ruturaj falling to left-arm pacers four times so far this season, the visitors may turn to stand-in captain Sam Curran or Arshdeep Singh to get the better of him. CSK’s other in-form batter, Shivam Dube, will fancy himself in the spin match-ups against leggie Rahul Chahar and left-armer Harpreet Brar as both the tweakers will traditionally bring the ball into him.
Among the bowlers, Matheesha Pathirana and Ravindra Jadeja could hold the key against a batting lineup that is fresh off completing a world record chase. Pacer Tushar Deshpande, too, could be a weapon, after producing a fantastic performance in tough conditions (batting-friendly pitch and dew) in the previous game.
The Punjab batting pack has enough firepower to upset CSK in their backyard. Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh, stars of the historic win over Kolkata Knight Riders, will be eager to continue their boundary-hitting spree. But they will have their task cut out, cautioned Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming.
“Punjab will be buoyed by their performance in the last game. But they will also be realistic that they have to adjust to the conditions. Chepauk is different; the size of the ground and pitches are different. When you are away from home, you have to make those adjustments,” said Fleming.
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