IPL 2018 CSK vs SRH: 5 players battles to look forward to

It is the battle between the 1st and 2nd next at Pune as Chennai Super Kings take on table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Apart from being the clash between the tournament’s best sides, it is also the battle between the IPL’s best batting unit and its most unforgiving bowling attack.

In their previous games respectively, CSK were beaten in a tightly contested game, while SRH chased down a big total with ease.

Both teams will want to keep winning so that they can guarantee their places within the top two and the game promises to be a classic.

A plethora of stars are going to be on show today and some of the individual battles between them will have a big impact on the ultimate result of the game.

Here is a look at the 5 most important individual battles in the next game between CSK and SRH.

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#5 Ambati Rayudu v Sandeep Sharma

Ambati Rayudu is CSK’s highest run-scorer with an aggregate of 435 runs so far in 11 games and following a rare disappointment in the previous game against Rajasthan Royals, the opening batsman would be eager to return to his prolific ways.

More importantly, he is averaging 39.54 and striking at a brilliant 151.04 so far this season. He has been responsible for getting CSK off to fast starts throughout the season and in the next game, his early tussle with Sandeep Sharma is going to be a very interesting one.

The SRH pacer came into the team following Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s absence but, has since nailed down a spot in the eleven and his tight opening spells have been vital for SRH’s fortunes.

He is not express quick but he is accurate, clever and can move the ball either way. Sharma’s movement has made him a very tough bowler to negotiate and in 7 games so far, he has recorded an outstanding economy rate of only 5.37 runs an over.

It will be very interesting to see how Rayudu handles him.

#4 Lungi Ngidi v Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan

South African paceman Lungi Ngidi is going to come back into the side today following a disappointing performance from David Willey in the previous game and it is his opening battle with Shikhar Dhawan that is going to hold the key for CSK’s bowling effort.

Their fast bowling has not been up to the mark so far but the addition of Ngidi provides the side with a hugely talented pacer, who can trouble the best in the business. He has played in 3 games so far and has recorded an excellent economy rate of 7.81.

Now, he will be up against SRH’s star opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who roared back into form in the last game with a superb unbeaten 92.

Considering the fact that SRH’s batting line-up is heavily dependent on their top-order, the left-hander’s wicket is going to be absolutely vital and Ngidi’s opening spell against him could be a very testing one.

#3 Harbhajan Singh v Kane Williamson

Harbhajan Singh

The SRH skipper has been their best batsman in the tournament and over the course of the season, Kane Williamson has shown his innate class as a batsman despite not being regarded as a spectacular power-hitter.

The Kiwi has emerged as SRH’s highest run-scorer with an aggregate of 493 runs and on top of that, he is averaging 61.62. He is striking at 135.43, but, what is interesting is that the New Zealander has been particularly brilliant against spin.

He has slammed 202 runs off the 164 deliveries he has faced from the slower bowler and has given away his wicket only once.

Hence, his duel with CSK’s Harbhajan Singh is going to be a crucial one. The Indian spinner has taken 7 wickets in 9 games so far but it is the control that he provides in the middle overs that makes him so important and an economy rate of 7.71 is ample proof of that.

However, today, he will come up against one of the world’s best batsmen, who is also in excellent form and this battle could very well have a big say on the game.

#2 Suresh Raina v Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan

In the first encounter between these two teams, CSK made 182 and Suresh Raina’s unbeaten 54 proved to be a telling contribution as his eked out a narrow win.

In that game, the Indian left-hander was quite brilliant against SRH’s star leg-spinner Rashid Khan and hit him for 2 fours and as many sixes. The leg-spinner went for 49 in that game and the onslaught on him broke the back of the SRH bowling attack.

However, Khan has made minor tweaks in his bowling style since then and has been one of the major factors behind SRH’s incredible rise to the top of the table.

In their next game, the Afghan would definitely love to settle scores with Suresh Raina and deliver a telling blow to the CSK top order. It is going to be a battle to remember.

#5 Shane Watson v Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Shane Watson

His brutal hitting at the top of the order has been a signature of some of the big scores that CSK have put up this season and after a bit of a scratchy innings in the last game, Shane Watson would definitely like to play a vintage knock against the IPL’s best bowling attack.

He is averaging 33.36 at the top of the order and has also recorded an excellent strike rate of 153.55. The Australian’s match-turning capabilities are beyond doubt but against Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he will have to face up to a fresh challenge.

The Indian bowler is one of the smartest medium-pace bowler in the world and despite the punishment he received at the hands of Rishabh Pant in the previous game, he is experienced enough to not let such events cloud his mind.

His intelligence, movement, and accuracy will be a big test for Watson at the outset and it is a battle that is going to have a huge impact on the game.