As the T20 Championship enters its business end stage, while top teams will eye to consolidate their position, the middle-placed teams are aiming to reach the top and the below-placed ones will strive to avoid the last place.
Teams who will compete on Sunday’s second match — Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals are sitting pretty at the top spot. CSK are one first and Rajasthan joint second on points.
The MS Dhoni-lead yellow brigade have 20 points from 13 matches while the Rahul Dravid-led side have 18 points in equal number of matches.
But, CSK, who have already reached the playoffs, are eyeing a win to ensure that they will be among the top two teams as the two top get an extra chance to qualify if they lose the first playoff tie.
Also, because momentum in this form of the game is very important. “This is a very important match for us. Another couple of wins means we will acquire top two berths. Also we want to carry momentum of winning into playoffs. To add to that, we are looking to be more consistent. We had won seven games on the trot but we had a huge loss against Mumbai Indians. But, we made a strong comeback against Sunrisers Hyderabad. So, tomorrow, we have a tough match facing the number two (joint on points with Mumbai) team in the competition,” Steve Rixon, CSK’s fielding coach told reporters during the pre-match press conference.
CSK have in their ranks — Orange cap leader Michael Hussey (574 runs) and Purple cap donning Dwayne Bravo (20 wickets), who have justified their reputations. CSK also have been served well by Suresh Raina (458 runs), Dhoni (314 runs) while their bowlers — Mohit Sharma (13 wickets), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin (13 wickets), Chris Morris (12 wickets) have performed well.
But, the table-toppers have a tough task against Rajasthan, whose fort — Sawai Man Singh Stadium is yet to be breached in this season in seven matches. Rajasthan, playing at their final home game, are on the verge of qualifying for playoffs and a win in the Pink City will not only ensure them a top-four berth but also their citadel will remain unblemished.
Finishing on a high in front of their home supporters will be an extra motivating factor for them. Royals’ batters — Dravid (365 runs), Ajinkya Rahane (424 runs), burly Australian all-rounder Shane Watson (eight wickets and 413 runs), Sanju Samson and Stuart Binny have been in red-hot form.
Especially Dravid’s go-to-man Watson, who had scored a 55-ball 100 in the game against CSK at Chepauk, in the teams’ last meeting, will be more than eager to better his score so that he can end on a winning side, unlike that tie where his team’s commanding score of 185 was chased down by CSK.
Bowlers in James Faulkner, the second in the highest wicket-takers list with 19 wickets, have been the leading force and with the support of Siddharth Trivedi, Kevon Cooper (14 wickets) and Ajit Chandila, are well-equipped to trouble any batting line-up.
Get ready for this mouth-watering clash.