IPL Final 2018, CSK vs SRH: 5 player battles to look forward to 

The summit clash of the biggest T20 league in the world is here at last and quite fittingly, the two teams which ended up at the top of the table will battle it out tonight for the 2018 IPL title at Mumbai. The Sunrisers Hyderabad produced an exceptional performance in their previous place to book their place against the Chennai Super Kings in this final and the game promises to be a classic.

However, at the same time, it cannot be ignored that the CSK have beaten SRH on 3 occasions and in the 1st Qualifier, they won the game in which they looked dead at one point. So, needless to say, CSK will start this game as the favorites. That being said, a final is a totally different proposition and the pressure will tell on the favorites as well. On the other hand, SRH’s quality as a team is unquestioned and the result of the game will be determined by some of the individual battles that will take place tonight. Here is a look at the 5 most important individual battles from the big final.

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#5 Deepak Chahar v Shikhar Dhawan

In 1st Qualifier at the same venue, CSK fast bowler Deepak Chahar rocked SRH when he got their star batsman Shikhar Dhawan playing on to his stumps off the 1st delivery of the match and it is a contest that will take place again tonight. That dismissal is certainly going to play on the SRH opener’s mind and hence, the contest promises to be a very interesting one.

The fast bowler has been a superb performer for CSK and has recorded an economy rate of 7.40 in 11 games, despite bowling in the Powerplays. On the other hand, Dhawan had been in excellent form prior to that duck against CSK but got back to some form in the previous game by hitting a 34. He would like to get on top of Chahar early on and it is going to be a tight contest, considering the fast bowler’s record so far.

#4 Ambati Rayudu v Siddarth Kaul

Ambati Rayudu

The CSK batsman has been one of the best players in this tournament and it is expected that Ambati Rayudu will bat at number 4 again in tonight’s final. In the previous game, he was clean bowled first ball by an outstanding delivery from Siddarth Kaul and the two will run into each other yet again at Mumbai. The subtext of what happened in the 1st Qualifier makes it such a tantalizing contest and needless to say, Rayudu’s superb record against SRH is also a reason why his dismissal turned the game the other night (although CSK did end up winning the game).

The CSK player has made 586 runs at an average of 41.85 so far and is all set to end up as the team’s top scorer this year, which is why it is imperative for SRH to get his wicket as soon as they possibly can. Siddarth Kaul, on the other hand, has roared back with quality performances with the ball and his spell will be absolutely crucial if SRH are to derail the CSK batting effort.

#3 Shane Watson v Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Shane Watson

The Australian all-rounder is now retired and 36 years old but that hasn’t stopped Shane Watson from contributing handsomely towards CSK’s run to the final of this season’s IPL. In 14 games, he has scored 438 runs at an average of 31.28, to go along with a strike rate of 145.03 and has been responsible for getting his off to scorching starts. However, in his last game, he was sent back for a duck by SRH’s premier fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar and it is a battle that will again have a huge impact on the final tonight.

The Indian fast bowler is known for his accuracy, steady pace, swing and seam movement and the last two have always troubled Watson. If SRH can get him early on, then the CSK batting line-up will be under pressure yet again and Kumar remains the most likely candidate to get him early on. In addition to that, he has the ability to bowl tight overs in the Powerplay as well and that might induce a desperate stroke from Watson when he is batting against other bowlers. This is a contest no one should miss.

#2 Ravindra Jadeja v Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson is the tournament’s highest run-scorer with a tally of 688 runs (average of 52.92) and after his disappointing performances in the previous two games, the SRH captain would like to get back to his best in the final. He has been in sublime batting form and one of the most important thing about his performances has been the total domination that he has had over the spin bowlers. He has been largely untroubled against them and in tonight’s game, his battle against CSK’s in-form spinner Ravindra Jadeja is going to be one of the most important duels.

In the first half of the tournament, Jadeja hardly ever bowled but over the last three games, he has been one of the best bowlers for CSK. In his last three games, he has gone for only 5 runs (11 overs bowled) an over and taken two wickets, while in the previous game against SRH, his figures read 1-13 in 4 overs. He provides CSK with much-needed control in the middle-overs and it will be up to Williamson to get on top of him from the outset. There can be no half measures and that’s what makes it such a huge contest.

#1 MS Dhoni v Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan is quite simply the best spinner in T20 cricket at the moment and it will be surprising if he does not end up as the player of the tournament. The SRH bowler has been in outstanding form and in his last two games, he returned figures of 2 for 11 and 3 for 19 in his quota of 4 overs. Those are absolutely incredible figures and his dismissal of MS Dhoni (bowled through the gate by a googly) in the 1st Qualifier remains one of the moments of the tournament.

Dhoni has been one of the reasons behind CSK’s superb show in the tournament so far and despite being an excellent player of spin, he appeared a bit foolish against Rashid in the last game. The CSK captain would definitely like to set the record straight and therein lies the attraction of this battle. If Dhoni can attack Rashid or help CSK negotiate his spell without giving away wickets, then SRH might have a big problem on their hands.