IPL 2018, Qualifier 1, SRH vs CSK: 4 Unnoticed things from the game 

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In a battle between the top 2 teams of the league, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings locked horns in the Qualifier 1 to fire a shot for a spot in the final of IPL 2018. MS Dhoni called the right side of the important coin toss and decided to field at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.

It was a dream start for Chennai as a wicket on the first ball saw the Orange Army struggle up front. Things went from bad to worse for Sunrisers as they lost few too many wickets in the powerplay. But somehow contribution from Yusuf Pathan and a late onslaught from Carlos Braithwaite powered SRH to 139 to give their bowlers a chance in the second innings.

CSK didn’t get off to a great start and kept on losing the way in the middle as the opposition bowlers got better of them on most of the occasions. However, Faf du Plessis kept his cool and carried his bat to help his side to the victory. The South African skipper mustered unbeaten 67 runs to secure a berth in the final for the men in yellow.

Let’s look at some of the things that went unnoticed:


#1 Most appearances in IPL Playoffs

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Being the most consistent team in the history of the league, Chennai has made to the playoffs on each occasion they have featured in IPL. The men in yellow have been a force in reckoning even on their return after two years.

A team that was given no chance before the season, have astounded one and all with their consistent run in this year’s edition that has allowed them to finish 2nd in the league table.

The team is banking on experience as it boasts to feature four out of the top seven players in their team who have made most appearances in the IPL playoffs.

The duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ambati Rayudu have featured in 14 games in IPL playoffs while Suresh Raina and skipper MS Dhoni have made 19 most appearances in the matches in the business end of the league.

#2 Harbhajan Singh remains unused

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In an all-important game in the tournament, MS Dhoni was yet again instrumental in his ability to read the game and make adjustments accordingly.

With few wickets upfront, Dhoni was confident to bowl just 5 bowlers despite Harbhajan Singh being the more experienced spinner in the team. This was also the first instance in this edition when Chennai could resist bowling more than five bowling options.

However, it was a decision that took many aback after Harbhajan was denied any bowling opportunity on a ground where he had represented Mumbai in the past ten years. The seasoned campaigner in Bhajji has been economical with some consistent spells in the edition so far.

He has 7 wickets in the 13 games with an economy of 8.71 which sees his maiden stint with CSK as a decent one.

#3 Dwayne Bravo bowled before death overs

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Death bowling has been a problem of concern for the men in yellow in this season. The Dhoni-led side has been in sublime form but their death bowling woes continue to perturb the skipper. A near to perfect season for CSK has seen the side on the receiving end with their bowlers failing to contain runs in the final few overs.

Dhoni has tried each of their bowlers but none has delivered the goods for his team. The likes of Dwayne Bravo and Shardul Thakur have been the most expensive bowlers in the death.

In order to prevent the eventual, Dhoni took the risk of bowling Bravo before the death overs. The Caribbean all-rounder has failed to fox batsmen with his slower variations to leak runs at runs more than 10 in an over at the death in recent games.

#4 Rashid Khan traps the big fish for the first time

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The young leg spin sensation has been phenomenal for the Orange Army ever since his burst onto the scene in 2017. Even in this season, the Afghan leg-spinner has lived up to the expectations for his franchise. He has been the go-to man for Kane Williamson in adverse situations and has delivered the goods more often than not.

Rashid Khan has been difficult to pick and has foxed much big fish with the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. Although, he was yet again banging on with his wrong‘un to deceive MS Dhoni to get him bowled in one of the most crunch situations of the game. He was unable to pick the googly as the gap between bat and pad exposed his wickets and ball went to hit the timber.


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Edited by Raunak J