IPL 2018: SRH vs CSK | Key battles to watch out for in the first playoff

Soumajit Dey: The league matches of the Indian Premier League 2018 have finally ended last night and among the eight teams SunRisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals has reached the playoffs. Table toppers SRH will face high on confidence Chennai Super Kings in the first playoff at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Though both teams will get another chance to qualify if they lose tomorrow but their aim will definitely to win the game and confirm their birth for the final.  Ahead of the high voltage game, we will look at the key battles which the fans can see tomorrow.

Kane Williamson vs Lungi Ngidi: In the absence of regular skipper David Warner; Williamson not only led the side from front but also under his leadership they became the table toppers in this season as well. He has scored 661 runs in 14 matches so far with an amazing average of 143.07. He may face a tough fight from CSK’s ace fast bowler who just destroyed Kings XI Punjab top order with his pace bowling. He took four wickets against Punjab in the allotted 4 overs and turned the game in favour of CSK.




MS Dhoni vs Rashid Khan: We all know that CSK skipper is very good of playing spin bowling. Dhoni is currently in form of his life in this year’s IPL with 446 runs in just 14 matches and his strike rate is 157.04. On the flip side of it young Afghan leg spinner Rashid Khan has put almost every batsman in trouble with his variation. He has taken 16 wickets so far in this season and it will a treat to watch the battle between Dhoni and Rashid.




Shane Watson vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The veteran Aussie batsman is standing like a rock in the opening of Chennai Super Kings. In most of the matches his brilliant knock at the start helped CSK to win their matches. On the flip side of it last year’s purple cap winner Bhuvneshwar Kumar has played 9 matches so far in this season for the SRH brigade where he has taken 8 wickets. It would be an interesting to see that how Watson manages Bhuvi’s bowling tomorrow.

Ambati Rayudu vs Siddarth Kaul: Rayudu’s rich form is another reason for CSK’s good show this season. Rayudu aged 32 has scored 586 runs in 14 matches with a strike rate of 153.40 and he has a century as well in this season. Whereas Siddarth Kaul has helped the SRH with all his experience as he has taken 17 wickets so far in this season with a very good economy rate as well. Rayudu has to be very careful in the first playoff league.