With just a week or so remaining for the league matches to end, table-topper Chennai Super Kings (CSK) takes on Rajasthan Royals (RR), which is at the penultimate spot (7) in the points and ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), on Sunday (02nd October) in the second match of the weekend double-header of the ongoing IPL, 2021 in UAE.

Match-practice for CSK

CSK, thrice IPL champion and a strong contender this year too, has already qualified for the play-offs with electrifying performances both during the first leg as well as the second leg of the tourney. It has so far won 9 out of its 11 matches, thus taking its points tally to 18. Delhi has 16 points from 11 matches. RCB needs just one win to confirm its play-off entry while a tight contest for the 4th play-off stage place is on between KKR, KXIP, RR and Mumbai Indians.

Tough for RR to play for play-offs

RR has three matches remaining, including one against CSK on Sunday. While CSK is expected to take the match seriously as match-practice for the play-off stage, RR would surely go all-out to win the match to give it an outside of qualifying for the play-offs provided it surmounts two more mountains: it would still have to beat Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knightriders. This is certainly one of the most impossible things ever to have been attempted by any team.

Will be tough for RR to outwit CSK

CSK has been going very steady indeed; it has now won all the matches it has played thus far in the second-leg of the IPL in UAE. It would certainly like to keep the winning momentum going. While it may not want to alter the playing XI drastically, it might just be tempted to test its bench strength by getting its reserve players such as Chhateshwar Pujara and Robin Uthappa play a few games.

CSK would also feel mighty happy at the return to form of its premier bowler, Aussie Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood, a regular in the Oz Test sides, went for plenty in CSK’s earlier matches but came back strongly against SRH to pick a few wickets. In a rariry, Deepak Chahar went wicketless. Shardul and Bravo, along with Jadeja, continue their good work as CSK looks unstoppable at this very moment.

Sanju Samson would have to show the way for his team if it has any chance of upsetting CSK’s applecart on Sunday. Feeling the absence of England’s Jos Butler in its ranks, it’s time for the team to pull up its socks and prove its mettle.

Expected XI:

CSK: Ruturaj, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Jadega, Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood

RR: Lewis, Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Livingstone, Lomror, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Chetan Zakaria, Kartik Tyagi, Mustafizur

Picture Courtesy: IPLT20.COM