Chennai Super Kings aim to boost net run rate against Delhi Daredevils
MS
Dhoni's men will strive to make the most of Tuesday's outing against
lowly DD before the tricky away assignment against playoffs contenders
RCB on May 18. (TOI Photo)
CHENNAI: The big beast's grip on the Indian T20 league continues to be firm. Despite the two stunning away reverses at the hands of Mumbai Indians and, more recently, Rajasthan Royals, two-time champs Chennai Super Kings remain on course for a top-two finish.
With two matches remaining to complete their league engagements, fancied CSK will look to secure full points and boost their net run rate for a preferred finish in the top-two of the four playoff spots.
MS Dhoni's men will strive to make the most of Tuesday's outing against lowly Delhi Daredevils at Chepauk -- a happy hunting ground for the hosts -- before the tricky away assignment against playoffs contenders Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 18. A top-two finish allows a team a second shot at qualifying for the final.
Delhi are not in contention for a playoff spot, and are currently eighth in the nine-team heap with just three wins from 13 games.
Table-toppers for most part of the competition, CSK's seven-match winning streak was snapped when Mumbai sent them crashing to their lowest-ever total of the season. Arguably the strongest batting outfit in the competition, and certainly the most decorated, CSK regrouped quickly to dispatch Sunrisers Hyderabad and become the first team to secure 20 points in this edition, before being felled by Royals on Sunday.
The common thread in the two losses was the batting collapse and, more significantly, the rare failure of Dhoni, whose astonishing play in the end overs has been the defining aspect in a majority of CSK's victories this season. A middle-order collapse saw CSK fail to build on an 83-run opening-wicket stand against Royals as Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni fell in quick succession following opener Michael Hussey's exit.
While Ravindra Jadeja appeared tied down, CSK's innings got a lift owing to clever placements by Dwayne Bravo. Clearly, though, a powerful finish usually associated with Dhoni's presence was sorely missed. "We were not able to capitalize on the good start," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation. "In the positives, our middle and lower-middle order got a chance to bat. It was important that they get to bat ahead of the play-offs," he added.
Delhi will play to restore some pride, according to Ashish Nehra. "It has not been a good season for us, and so we will look to win the remaining three games," he said.
With two matches remaining to complete their league engagements, fancied CSK will look to secure full points and boost their net run rate for a preferred finish in the top-two of the four playoff spots.
MS Dhoni's men will strive to make the most of Tuesday's outing against lowly Delhi Daredevils at Chepauk -- a happy hunting ground for the hosts -- before the tricky away assignment against playoffs contenders Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 18. A top-two finish allows a team a second shot at qualifying for the final.
Delhi are not in contention for a playoff spot, and are currently eighth in the nine-team heap with just three wins from 13 games.
Table-toppers for most part of the competition, CSK's seven-match winning streak was snapped when Mumbai sent them crashing to their lowest-ever total of the season. Arguably the strongest batting outfit in the competition, and certainly the most decorated, CSK regrouped quickly to dispatch Sunrisers Hyderabad and become the first team to secure 20 points in this edition, before being felled by Royals on Sunday.
The common thread in the two losses was the batting collapse and, more significantly, the rare failure of Dhoni, whose astonishing play in the end overs has been the defining aspect in a majority of CSK's victories this season. A middle-order collapse saw CSK fail to build on an 83-run opening-wicket stand against Royals as Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni fell in quick succession following opener Michael Hussey's exit.
While Ravindra Jadeja appeared tied down, CSK's innings got a lift owing to clever placements by Dwayne Bravo. Clearly, though, a powerful finish usually associated with Dhoni's presence was sorely missed. "We were not able to capitalize on the good start," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation. "In the positives, our middle and lower-middle order got a chance to bat. It was important that they get to bat ahead of the play-offs," he added.
Delhi will play to restore some pride, according to Ashish Nehra. "It has not been a good season for us, and so we will look to win the remaining three games," he said.
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