However, the Super Kings will need their bowlers to improve.
In the big picture, CSK reclaims its home field for the entire campaign.
How will the “Dad’s Army” of the Chennai Super Kings counter Monday’s furious speed from Mark Wood if age slows down your reflexes? Despite the jokes, Ruturaj Gaikwad, the youngest batter for the Super Kings, was in excellent form in their first game and may hold the key once more with his ability to send even decent deliveries to the boundary. Despite the jokes, their other batters must perform better because, as coach Stephen Fleming noted after the game, Gaikwad set them up for success by bringing them to 114 for 3 in 12 overs. Still, their middle order could not capitalize, making only 64 more runs in eight overs.
The fact that they are finally returning to their den after four harrowing years gives them the most solace. They consistently chose their spinners based on the Chepauk pitch’s circumstances, played well there, and won 40 of their 56 home games.
That field will be new to many Lucknow Super Giants players and some Super Kings players. The Super Giants’ power batters’ 16 sixes (and just five fours) on a difficult ball on Saturday night for what appeared to be an above-par 193 in Lucknow will give them more confidence. They now need to make sure they swiftly prepare for the game after traveling from Lucknow to Chennai with only a day’s gap and cleverly adjust to a more turning pitch—they gathered 73 off eight overs of spin against Delhi Capitals.
Group Stories
It’s improbable that Quinton de Kock will play on Monday because he has a flight to catch after South Africa’s final ODI against the Netherlands on Sunday evening. The Super Giants won’t worry about it, though, given how Kyle Mayers started their first game with a 38-ball 73.
The Sri Lankan duo of Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana will skip their first three games due to the current T20Is in New Zealand, and Sisanda Magala, who is with the South Africa team, will also not be playing for the Super Kings.
Throw and Impact Player Technique
Lucknow Super Giants
Did the Super Giants use the impact star effectively in their opening game? When Ayush Badoni fell for 18 off of seven balls while batting first, they introduced K Gowtham after 19.5 overs, and Gowtham strode out to smash a six on the only delivery he encountered. Despite much fog, Gowtham delivered four overs for just 23 runs. On Monday, they could achieve the same results if they choose to hit first and serve first. They might even select an additional spinner instead of Jaydev Unadkat, who had a forgettable record and surrendered 39 runs in three overs against the Capitals—both MS Dhoni and the Super Kings.
Probable XI to play first:
KL Rahul (captain and wicketkeeper), Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Amit Mishra, and Mark Wood are the other four.
Potential batting XI:
Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis, KL Rahul (captain and wicketkeeper), Kyle Mayers, Krunal Pandya, K Gowtham, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Amit Mishra, Mark Wood, and number seven.
Chennai Super Kings
The Super Kings should reconsider their first-game plan. Tushar Deshpande was substituted for Ambati Rayudu after they completed batting, which was a smart move, but the spinner gave up 51 runs in just 3.2 overs. However, without Magala, Theekshana, and Pathirana, Simarjeet Singh is their only other seasoned player because Dwaine Pretorius cannot be added if they begin with four foreign players. Since MS Dhoni is who he is, he might not alter anything.
Potential XI to play first:
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, and Ambati Rayudu are the top five players. (6) Ravindra Jadeja Seven: Shivam Dube MS Dhoni 8 (capt, wk), Mitchell Santner, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Deepak Chahar, and
Potential bowl-first XI
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, and Ravindra Jadeja are the top five players. Six Shivam Dube MS Dhoni 7 (capt, wk), Rajvardhan Hangargekar, 10 Deepak Chahar, 11 Simarjeet Singh/Tushar Deshpande, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9
Important statistics
- Occasionally starting slowly for the Super Giants, KL Rahul strikes out at 160 against Deepak Chahar and has never lost to him.
- In the IPL, Devon Conway already has an encouraging record against spin: 53 runs off 23 deliveries, striking at 230.43, and only one dismissal. It will be his first encounter at Chepauk.
- Given that the opposing XI features left-handed batters Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, and Krunal Pandya, Moeen won’t spin against the Capitals but is likely to in Chennai. Moeen has only allowed 6.79 runs per over to left-handed hitters in the IPL.
Pitch and Circumstances
In the most recent one-day international between Australia and India, spinners claimed 11 of the 18 wickets taken by bowlers. The outcome of Monday’s match may be similar, with few scores expected. Along with being hot and muggy, there may be some wind. And since Dhoni is visiting his “second home,” don’t anticipate any vacant chairs.
