Chennai Super Kings (CSK) takes on Delhi Capitals (DC) on Monday night in Dubai in UAE in the ongoing edition of IPL. Occupying the top two slots in the points tally, these teams have nothing to lose but also have everything to play for. Both the teams would like to take the match seriously though the result of the match would have no bearing on the fact that they have already entered the play-off stages.

CSK should get back to winning ways

CSK and DC have already qualified for play-offs and they now await two other teams to join them as they clash in Dubai on Monday for the second time in this edition of IPL. After losing a high-scoring encounter to Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, CSK would certainly look to get back to its winning habit to keep the momentum going. Winner of today’s match would head the points-tally for sure.

DC's bowling a big boost to its campaign

Led by the South African pace duo of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje and ably supported by India’s Avesh Khan, DC’s bowling has a well-settled look with R. Ashwin and Axar Patel being the other two of their five-pronged bowling attack. All the bowlers have done their admirably well so far thus contributing to Delhi’s successful campaign in this year’s edition as DC is on a mission to win its maiden IPL title.

Middle-order probems to be addressed fast by CSK

Suresh Raina, who was the batting mainstay of CSK till not so long ago, has been struggling for runs. An out-of-form batsman finds all edges going to fielders; in Raina’s case, shots which had earlier fetched him sixes on numerous occasions have been his undoing in recent matches. It’s indeed very hard to watch a modern great such as Raina struggling to get runs under his belt. In between, CSK also has to deal with Rayudu’s inconsistency who hits well in a match and fails in the very next match.

Another worrying factor would certainly be Hazlewood’s show; after winning the Man of the Match award in the game against SRH, Hazlewood went for plenty (0-54) again in Ahu Dhabi on a batting-friendly wicket. Sam, who played in place of Bravo, ‘bettered’ Hazlewood as he went for 0-55 in his four overs. CSK rested Deepak Chahar for Saturday’s game and made Kerala’s K.M. Asif play the match. CSK is now expected to field a full-fledged team against DC to keep its lead-players match-fit for play-offs.

DC won’t be a push-over

With a strong batting order comprising Prithvi Shah, Dhawan, Smith, Hetmyer, Pant and Shreyas Iyer and an equally potent bowling line-up, CSK would find it hard to stop a rejuvenated DC which beat MI rather easily on Saturday.

Expected XI:

CSK: Du Plessis, Ruturaj, Raina, Moeen Ali, Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Jadeja, Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur & Josh Hazlewood

DC: Prithvi Shah, Dhawan, Smith, Hetmyer, Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, R. Ashwin, Rabada, Nortje & Avesh Khan.

Picture Courtesy: IPLT20.COM