Follow UsThe way the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League started, it almost looked like the top four would sustain their form and find themselves a place in the playoffs. They were Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants.
But then, IPL’s crazy scheduling and form hit them, and now only two of them survive pretty: Chennai and Gujarat. Even Delhi Capitals, who till the first three weeks of the competition were languishing in the bottom now stand a chance. That’s how crazy the league has gotten over the last two weeks.
Delhi are no longer the butt of IPL 2023’s jokes. They are a team that has found form, and got something about themselves, which to be honest, has come out of nowhere. All the moving parts are suddenly stable, their base looks more solid, and they are out of the rabbit hole that they found themselves in.
On the other hand, Chennai had a blip, a two-game phase that almost gave them an existential crisis but then a resounding victory over Mumbai put all those doubts to rest. Now the only question that MS Dhoni and Co are pondering is how can they seal a top-two finish.
Things to watch out for
More spin for Delhi batters to encounter
A week ago, this stretch of games would have given Delhi a nightmare. But this is no more Old Delhi, this is New Delhi, and they are up for the contest. The teams they have beaten are some top dogs, and Chennai are another top dog that they would love to hunt down. But they would be up against some spin trial, can they pass that?
Delhi have the worst record against spin in this IPL, with a run-rate of 7.5 and losing a wicket every 17.5th ball against spin. But since their purple patch hit them, they have struck at 8 an over, losing a wicket only every 33.6 runs. That’s the second-best batting unit against spin in the time period (April 24 to May 9).
Who has led this transformation? Phil Salt. Salt has been integral to Delhi’s success, with 81 runs against spin, at a strike-rate of 165.3. Wanindu Hasaranga, Mahipal Lomror and Karn Sharma would attest to that. But up against Salt are perhaps one of the most fearsome spin units: Ravindra Jadeja and Maheesh Theekshana, can he stand tall?
Have Chennai finally found their bowling template?
Chennai struggled to find the right template for their bowling unit. Most of it had to do with the irregular injuries to players, and fitting the right piece in the right place was a tough task. But now with Deepak Chahar back, what is Chennai’s optimal template with the ball? It was probably the only thing missing from their book, given how their batting unit has nearly been performing.
Chahar isn’t yet in full tilt but his display against Mumbai was top-class, showing why CSK shelled the heavy bucks for him. Tushar Deshpande, who has proven to be costly at the death has turned up as a trump option in the powerplay as well, where he gets the ball to move nicely. Against a deadly opening pair of Salt and David Warner, CSK’s bowling unit will be tested.
But what will also be tested is how Dhoni goes about his plans. Will he disrupt the set template by bowling an early over of Matheesha Pathirana after the powerplay, or will Delhi allow the four-time IPL-winning skipper to continue his own methods? Not having a set template is the only missing card in this CSK all-star pack.
Ground details
Unlike previous seasons, the pitches in Chennai have played more friendly to the batters, with an average first innings total of 173. Not just that, the average winning first innings total is 196, which only shows how teams have generally preferred to chase at the venue. Barring the opening two games - against Lucknow and Rajasthan - all the teams have won chasing at the venue.
It is no secret that spinners are vital to a team’s success in Chennai. 30 wickets have been picked up by spinners, at an average of 3 wickets/innings. But, thanks to the more open ventilation at the venue, it has allowed the pacers to be potent as well, with 27 wickets.
Tactical Nous
Kuldeep Yadav vs Devon Conway
All eyes would be on Khaleel Ahmed vs Ruturaj Gaikwad or Axar Patel vs Ajinkya Rahane but this is a battle that should be followed closely. Conway has just played two innings against Kuldeep but his numbers are mind-boggling. In the two innings, Conway has struck 51 runs in just 19 deliveries striking at 268.4 without being dismissed. Given that Delhi only have two spinners, it would be interesting to see how they go about things. Also, it would be crucial for Conway to survive the powerplay.
Theekshana has Warner’s number
While Kuldeep has struggled big time against Conway, Theekshana has been a beast against David Warner. The left-hander has faced the Sri Lankan mystery spinner six times and has been dismissed in three of those innings, with an average of 18.7, and a strike-rate of 137. Given that Salt too has been dismissed by Theekshana, it wouldn’t be a bad ploy for Dhoni to test the waters early on.
Probable XIs
Chennai already have a set template, with Ambati Rayudu slotting into the playing XI if they are batting first. If they are bowling first, CSK have subbed out Theekshana for the right-handed batter. Expect no other changes unless a late injury creeps in.
CSK XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu (IP), Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana (IP)
Delhi have found the ideal XI and the groove. So expect no changes.
DC XI: David Warner (c), Philip Salt (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Rilee Rossouw, Manish Pandey, Aman Hakim Khan, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed (IP)