SRH vs CSK: Pitch report and match preview
Sunrisers Hyderabad welcome Chennai Super Kings to Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium for match number 20 of 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL). Both teams know they are strong enough to win the crunch encounter. These teams are well equipped in all three departments and that would give the fans plenty to cheer about. Here is all that you need to know.
Pitch to assist batsmen as well as spinners
A flat track is expected and batsmen from both sides would like to extract maximum from it. Spinners will be in fray and enjoy more liberty than the pacers. Given it is an afternoon game, the conditions in Hyderabad will be hot and humid making it tough for the players. Expect run-feast but wickets would be picked up by quality spinners.
Watson, Bravo the danger man for SRH
Both all-rounders are on top of their game and will be the thorns for SRH. Watson has lit up the IPL with his batting besides the six wickets he has taken. Not to forget Bravo, who is a match-winner down the middle-order and a genuine wicket-taker. Therefore, SRH players need to step up to the task and show their strengths.
Rashid and Shakib can be game changers
The two front-line spinners of SRH, Rashid Khan and Shakib Al Hasan need to stop the run-flow in the middle overs. Both have been crafty so far and CSK batsmen will find it difficult to score given their attributes and variety.
Stat attack- SRH vs CSK
Chennai's performances against spinners have been quite baffling. Their run-rate is 7.70 against spinners in IPL 2018 besides losing 10 wickets in total. SRH have the lowest boundary rate this season. They have won eight out of nine matches at home since last season. SRH have conceded the least runs during death as CSK have scored the most in the same frame.
Our take on the match in Hyderabad
Both teams are equally skilled but we feel Sunrisers might pull this one, largely because of their bowling. CSK's middle-order batsmen have struggled at times and that's where SRH can cash in. Also the impact of Bhuvneshwar upfront will be key for SRH.