Four IPL trophies, two teams, one game
CSK (Beat KXIP)
What went right: Sandeep Sharma bowled fullish outside off stump. Brendon McCullum had set himself up for a lap over fine leg. The Kiwi changed his mind at the last moment and played a ramp to third man boundary. It was contemptuous. Chennai, too, rolled over Punjab with contempt.
If you have McCullum to open the innings with Dwayne Smith in tow, the job is almost half done. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja bowled well in tandem in the last game, sharing five wickets between them for only 36 runs. It was a welcome return to form for the duo.
What went wrong: After bowling a good opening over in which he dismissed Virender Sehwag, Ishwar Pandey lost his rhythm a bit and was carted for a four and a six by Murali Vijay. The young seamer was taken off and didn’t bowl again in the match.
KKR (Washout)
What went wrong: After finishing second best in a rain-truncated affair against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the defending champions would love to get back to winning ways. At home,where they were expected to win, especially since Rajasthan Royals had lost their previous two matches and would have started as underdogs, KKR captain Gautam Gambhir and Co didn’t get to bowl or face a ball, leaving 60,000 partisan fans more than a tad disappointed.
What went right: The Eden Gardens washout allowed the Kolkata team management some extra leeway to decide on Sunil Narine’s fate. By Wednesday, test reports are expected to arrive from Sri Ramachandra Arthroscopy and Sports Science Centre, where Narine underwent his latest round of biomechanic tests on Saturday. The spinner was, yet again, reported for suspect action following Kolkata’s loss to Hyderabad. And his availability notwithstanding, Gambhir was in a serious dilemma whether to play him against Rajasthan. A clear picture will only help against Chennai, in Chennai.
Conclusion
Spinners are expected to get some purchase at Chepauk and both teams have quality slow bowlers. As for fast bowling, Ashish Nehra is Chennai’s answer to Kolkata’s Morne Morkel. Move on to batting, and Chennai have game-changers aplenty. The hosts start as narrow favourites.
