Chennai Super Kings look to tame Lahore Lions in CLT20

CSK start favourites with Suresh Raina in fabulous form

Bangalore, Sep 24 (IANS) Lahore Lions will be under pressure to raise their performance level when they take on a confident Chennai Super Kings in a crucial Group A match of the Oppo Champions League T20 tournament here on Thursday.

The Super Kings, after losing their opening game to Kolkata Knight Riders, bounced back in style by annihilating South African Dolphins by 54 runs after posting 242 for six batting first. Thus, the Chennai outfit would be looking to ride the wave against the Lions who lost the only game they have played, also against the Knight Riders, albeit narrowly.

Though the bowling continues to be a source of concern for the Super Kings, their batting has often pulled them out of trouble.

It was their batsmen, led by the in-form Suresh Raina (90) who paved the way for success against Dolphins on Monday night.

Also, the Super Kings seemed to have settled down in Bangalore, their new base for the tournament and as such will be playing in a familiar environment in contrast to the Lions who will have a task in hand to get used to the conditions.

Of course, the featherbed of a pitch did aid the strokemakers of Super Kings, but the surface for Thursday night's game is anybody's guess although those in charge of pitch preparations have gone on record stating that the wicket will be batsman-friendly.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Super Kings appear primed for more success while the Mohammed Hafeez-led Lions -- who received another setback when their frontline spinner Adnan Rasool was reported for suspect action and will be under the scanner -- would have to punch above their weight to surprise their opponents.

Meanwhile, the weather gods could add a twist to the tale. The city experienced a massive downpour in the early hours of Wednesday and heavy rains were forecast for the next few days.