As Chennai Super Kings and Deccan Chargers come head to head in the fifth season of the Indian Premier League on Friday, both teams realize that any slip ups will prove costly and would be keen to avoid so.
Deccan Chargers are the side facing the heat more than their rivals. With only five points from nine matches, they need a miraculous run of sorts to be in with any chance of making it to the semi-finals. Both their wins have come against Pune Warriors as a result of their batsmen firing all guns.
Kumar Sangakkara blazed his way to 52-ball 82 while Cameron White’s two half-centuries have revived hopes. The duo also combined to plunder 50 runs in two overs to take the total to 186. The bowlers need to improve as Dale Steyn’s struggles left the other bowlers exposed. In the end, they managed enough to win by 13 runs.
Chennai Super Kings have eight points from ten matches, though they have been on the losing side in their last three matches. Alarms will be ringing as they hope to defend their title successfully. They lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in the last match amidst a troubled batting effort where the batsmen got in and got out in no time.
Suresh Raina will look to shoulder most of the responsibility after becoming the first batsman to reach 2000 runs in an IPL career. Michael Hussey, who recently arrived from the West Indies, will also be keen on putting an impressive show while Dwayne Bravo has been relatively inconsistent off late.
The two sides have met earlier in the season when Ravindra Jadeja-inspired Chennai Super Kings clinched victory by 74 runs. Jadeja contributed valuably with the bat before picking up five wickets with the ball.
A similar heroic performance will lift the Chennai Super Kings up the table, who start the match as favorites.