Chennai Super Kings takes on an exciting Delhi Capitals side in the first playoff game of IPL 2021.
Chennai Super Kings
MS Dhoni’s men have lost their previous three fixtures after a strong start to the second phase of the tournament. They will look to return to their winning ways. The side underwent some personnel changes in the last three games but is expected to return to their original set-up for the play-offs.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf Du Plessis have been the best opening partnership of any side this season. The duo has been racking up fifty partnerships after fifty. However, they have slowed down in the last three matches. CSK will want their opening batsmen to fire on all cylinders against a deadly Delhi bowling attack. The middle-order except for Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, and Ravindra Jadeja has been a letdown for the Chennai side. Captain and Vice-Captain, Dhoni and Raina are yet to provide significant support in batting. Bowling despite being an improvement over last season’s performance has struggled once again in defending high totals.
How high the score they get, CSK seems to be always in need of an extra ten runs.
Delhi Capitals
The capital city side has been a formidable force in this year’s edition just like last season. They cruised through the league stage with ease and topped the standings.
Shikar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw always have been reliable at the top. Despite having a deep batting line-up like CSK the middle order has let down the team in their defeats.
Pant will want his men to fire on all cylinders against Dhoni’s men.
The bowling department of Delhi has always made life difficult for Chennai in the last two seasons. Rabada, Nortje, and Avesh will look to force their authority over the game. Axar Patel and Ravi Ashwin have been decent throughout the tournament, complementing the pace attack perfectly.
Delhi Capitals has beaten Chennai Super Kings in the last four meetings. Their last defeat against CSK came in the 2019 edition of the tournament. Delhi will look to continue that dominance. Meanwhile, CSK is a team that no one can bet against. It will be a thrilling encounter between two of the best sides in this IPL.