IPL 2018: Three key battles in CSK vs SRH playoff match

In the first playoff match of IPL 2018, at Wankhede Stadium, two-time champions Chennai Super Kings will take on the 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad, and the winner will stay on in Mumbai for the final on Sunday.

The men in Orange were the first to qualify for the playoffs but have lost three league games on the bounce. Dhoni's CSK have also not had a dominating run in the second half of the tournament. However, both teams will know that one good game on Tuesday will seal a finals berth.

In every big game, it's often the mini battles that will decide the final outcome. So let us take a look at those key contests ahead of the qualifier 1 between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings.

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#1 Ambati Rayudu vs Sandeep Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Ambati Rayudu has been in great form for CSK

Ambati Rayudu has played a lot for other teams in IPL but his best performance with the bat has to be in the yellow jersey in 2018. Before the season began, there was a feeling from experts and fans alike that Rayudu's time was almost over and confusion as to why CSK management bought him at the auction. The right-hander has repaid the faith shown in him by playing some memorable knocks, both at the top and in the middle order.

The Sunrisers bowling has tapered a wee bit in the last few games but that has been their strength which has brought them till the playoffs. The tussle between Rayudu and the new ball bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Sandeep Sharma, could very well set the tone for either team.

Rayudu would love to take on the quicks during the Powerplay in order to give the team a headstart. Sunrisers would hope that the new ball swings, and if it does, both opening bowlers could become dangerous. This battle will go a long way in deciding the winner.

#2 Williamson vs CSK bowlers

Kane Williamson has led from the front, admirably

The SRH captain Kane Williamson has been nothing short of phenomenal with the bat in this year's IPL. Everyone expected him to play the anchor role, and others to go after the bowling, but the Kiwi has been playing both roles to perfection. He has been the most consistent batsman this year, scoring as many as eight 50s at a strike rate of 143.07.

In both the league matches against CSK, Williamson scored half-centuries, and his 84 off 51 balls at Hyderabad was a batting masterclass and almost won his team the game from a hopeless situation.

If the CSK bowlers knock out Williamson early, the job will be a lot easier for Dhoni and his men. The tactics employed by the CSK captain to dismiss his SRH captain will be very interesting viewing.

#3 Dhoni vs Bhuvi at the death

Dhoni has been at his best this IPL

Arguably one of the best finishers in white ball cricket, against a very good bowler at the death could be very riveting to watch. What makes this battle even more interesting is that MS Dhoni has got his mojo back in this year's IPL.

Dhoni usually starts off a little slow and gets going in the death overs, but this year has been different as he has started off aggressively, and by the time death overs comes, he is in a murderous mood and almost impossible for the bowlers to restrict his big hitting.

One of the key reasons why SRH were the first to qualify was their bowling, especially in the death. Even though Bhuvneshwar Kumar has not been at his best in IPL 2018 due to injury, in the big games, everyone in the SRH camp will hope that the senior India bowler will produce the goods for his side.

Bhuvnehswar's variations and the calmness he brings during the death overs has been his strength over the last few years and he will need all of that against MS Dhoni, particularly if the former India skipper is in a devastating mood.