Chennai, May 3 (IANS) High on confidence and morale, Rajasthan Royals and defending champions Chennai Super Kings, both having won their previous three encounters, will clash in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) game here Wednesday, the winners securing a toe-hold in the playoffs phase.
While the Shane Warne-led Royals have 11 points after nine games with five wins, a no-result and three defeats, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Super Kings are on 10 from eight, five of which they have won, four at home.
All the three back-to-back Royals wins have come on home soil as they rolled past Kochi Tuskers, routed Mumbai Indians and beat Pune Warriors.
These three wins underlined the bowling prowess of the 2008 champions whose spinners played a lead role in restricting the opposition, who batted first. The Tuskers managed 109, Mumbai 94 for 8 and Warriors 143/7.
Interestingly, even their previous two victories, early in the league, against Deccan Chargers (137 for 8) and Delhi Daredevils (151 for 6) were achieved batting second, reflecting Royals’ preference to chase than setting a target.
Conversely, in the three games the Royals lost, Warne’s outfit made 159 for 4 and 81 all out, batting first against Kolkata Knight Riders, but only managed 147 for 7 chasing a target of 196 that Kings XI Punjab set.
The Royals’ victories have been built around all-rounders Johan Botha and Shane Watson, with the crafty Warne adding to the potent mix.
It is to be expected then that the visitors would be again looking up to the threesome to deliver against the more balanced Super Kings who, like the Royals, have scored four of their five wins on home soil.
The Super Kings, despite suffering three shock defeats, still look the side to beat in this year’s competition, given their ability to perform when the chips are down while defending small totals or successfully chasing targets after losing early wickets.
It needs no emphasis that the Super Kings have always depended on their batting far more than bowling. Twice they put up 180-plus totals this season but lost once.
However, in the recent games, there have been definite signs of the team coming together as a unit. That has as much to do with Dhoni’s leadership.
All their main batsmen — Michael Hussey, Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina and Subramaniam Badrinath besides Dhoni — were part of the team that won the IPL and the Champions League last year as also bowlers Doug Bollinger, Shadab Jakati and Ravichandran Ashwin, and all-rounder Albie Morkel.
Under the circumstances, the Super Kings present a very settled team that hasn’t quite performed to full potential but have always lifted their game when it mattered.
The Royals face an uphill task against an equally buoyant but better-equipped Super Kings who will again start a home game as firm favourites.
