IPL 2018: CSK vs SRH | Key battles to watch out for in the dream final

Soumajit Dey: Two most balanced side of Indian Premier League 2018; Chennai Super Kings and SunRisers Hyderabad will face each other in the big final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai tomorrow. CSK reached the final by beating SRH in the first playoff, on the other hand the SunRisers beat Kolkata Knight Riders to seal their spot in the final. Ahead of the high voltage game, we will look at the key battles which the fans can see tomorrow.

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 455 runs in just 15 matches and his strike rate is 150.66. On the flip side of it young Afghan leg spinner Rashid Khan single handedly destroyed the batting line up of KKR in the second playoff to take his side to the final. He has taken 21 wickets so far in this season and it will a treat to watch the battle between Dhoni and Rashid.




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 688 runs in 16 matches so far with an amazing strike rate of 143.33. He may face a tough fight from CSK’s ace fast bowler Lungi Ngidi who has been bowling really well for CSK. In the last two matches Williamson didn’t perform that well which can be a cause of concern as well.

Shikhar Dhawan vs Ravindra Jadeja: In the opening slot he has performed consistently for SRH this season. In 15 matches he has scored 471 runs for his side with a strike rate of 139.34. On the other hand though Jadeja didn’t score much with the bat but he has taken 10 vital wickets for his side and due to his brilliant bowling in the first playoff against SRH; CSK won the match with an ease. CSK would definitely want same thing in the final as well.

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 11 matches so far in this season for the SRH brigade where he has taken 9 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 entire season. Rayudu aged 32 has scored 586 runs in 15 matches with a strike rate of 153.00 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 21 wickets so far in this season with a very good economy rate as well. Rayudu has to be very careful in the final.