CHENNAI: Two matches to go, and everything to play for. Despite garnering 15 points and reaching the doorstep of playoffs, the Chennai Super Kings cannot afford to breathe easy yet.
The near-unprecedented intensity of competition this season has meant that every point won or lost has major ramifications at the top of the table. So CSK must beat the Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday night to sustain their push for a top-two berth.
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IPL 2023 SCHEDULEIPL 2023 POINTS TABLE
Warding off the Mumbai Indians' claim for the second spot will be vital for CSK, as whichever team finishes in the top two will get two chances to make the final.
As has been the case in this season so far, CSK will be banking on their middle-order batters to play high strike-rate cameos that prop up their total. While Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad have consistently given them good starts, it is the quickfire knocks from the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube that have elevated the momentum in the middle overs, and skipper MS Dhoni has invariably provided the final flourish.
Their previous match against Delhi Capitals was the perfect example. With the ball stopping and turning appreciably, stroke-making was difficult in the first 10 overs. But in walked designated spin-hitter Dube, and changed the complexion of the game with a 12-ball 25.
Dhoni put the cherry on the cake with an exhilarating nine-ball 20 that took his side to a competitive 167.
Head coach Stephen Fleming later said these high-risk cameos are a part and parcel of modern-day T20 strategy, and the knocks by Dube, Dhoni against DC turned a "160 wicket into a 175-180 wicket".
The batters have also shown the match awareness to not try and blast every ball out of the ground, and instead target specific bowlers on the day. In the DC game, they picked out Lalit Yadav and Khaleel Ahmed for overs that went for 23 and 21 runs, respectively. Assistant coach Eric Simmons feels the fate of games usually hinges on such inflexion points.
1/10:CSK vs KKR IPL 2023: Kolkata take on Chennai in a must-win game
PTI
2/10:CSK look to strengthen their play-off chances
<p>Four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will clash with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Chennai on Sunday aiming for a win and strengthen their chances of sealing a play-offs berth.<br /><br /></p>PTI
3/10:KKR need to win their two remaining games
<p>The Super Kings with 15 points (12 matches) are better placed to go through to the next stage, while KKR (10 points) need to win their two remaining games and hope other results go their way.<br /></p>PTI
4/10:Dhoni-led CSK tough to beat at their 'den'
<p>MS Dhoni's team comes into the match with two wins on the bounce and, like always, will be tough to beat at their 'den'. Even a couple of sixes from Dhoni's bat are enough to send the Chepauk crowd into a tizzy and he did that in the previous match against Delhi Capitals, which proved vital.</p>PTI
5/10:Conway-Gaikwad are providing solid starts to CSK
<p>For the home team, the opening batters Devon Conway (420 runs) and Ruturaj Gaikwad have been providing solid starts. Though Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja and Ambati Rayudu have not had the desired impact, the Super Kings have managed well.<br /></p>PTI
6/10:Rahane-Dube have the clarity of roles
<p>Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube have been benefitting from the clarity of roles they have been assigned and been vital cogs in the CSK batting line-up. On a slow pitch, which saw the batters struggle, Dube managed a few big hits and he would be eyeing an encore on Sunday.<br /></p>PTI
7/10:Pathirana shines among CSK bowlers
<p>The bowlers, Matheesha Pathirana in particular, have done the job for the skipper. Tushar Deshpande, albeit expensive, has managed to pick up wickets. The spinners -- Jadeja, Moeen and Maheesh Theekshana -- have been effective in putting the squeeze on opposition batters as the Delhi team found out on Wednesday.<br /></p>PTI
8/10:Varun-Suyash key for KKR
<p>KKR will also fancy their chances based on the presence of spinners, who have made an impact. How Varun Chakravarthy and leg-spinner Suyash Sharma bowl on Sunday could well decide the outcome of the match. The experienced Sunil Narine has been off-colour for a major part of the IPL season and will look to make amends.<br /></p>PTI
9/10:Rana-Iyer are performing well for KKR
<p>Skipper Nitish Rana and Venkatesh Iyer have been the better performers in the batting line-up and KKR would be expecting the openers to provide a solid start so that the rest can build on that.<br /></p>PTI
10/10:KKR wary of Jadeja
<p>However, it is easier said than done with Pathirana expected to have a say in the proceedings with his mix of yorkers and slower ones. Jadeja could be one bowler the opposition batters would be wary of, as he hardly allows them time and is most often accurate.<br /></p>PTI"The whole match turned in that one over (bowled by Lalit). It's about understanding the key moments. When you recognise that moment, you need to seize it," Simmons said on Saturday.
The hosts' middle-order will look to do more of the same against KKR, a side that is virtually out of reckoning for a spot in the playoffs with just five wins in 12 games.
The visitors may have had a lacklustre campaign, but they do possess a strong spin arsenal in the form of Suyash Sharma, Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine.
The trio's role will be especially crucial at the spin-friendly Chepauk, and how the CSK batters deal with them might well decide which way the match turns.
