Chennai Super Kings welcome Rajasthan Royals in their final home game of the group stages in the ongoing season of the Indin Premier League. The fixture pits two of the top four sides against each other in a mouth-watering contest that the hosts need to win if they are to secure a playoff position.
CSK come into the game on the back of a 35-run defeat at the hands of Gujarat Titans on the road, after they managed to snip an unflattering record against Punjab Kings at the Dharamshala with a 28-run win.
The usually consistent Chennai have had a ‘stat-stop’ kind of season, but have nevertheless managed to position themselves in the race for the top 4 spots with 6 wins from their 12 outings so far in the season.
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CSK kicked off the season with wins at home against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and GT, before losing to Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad on the road. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Co. returned to winning ways against Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk before registering their first away win of the season against Mumbai Indians.
However, two back-to-back losses against Lucknow Super Giants choked their streak of wins before picking up crucial two points against SRH at the Den. The fluctuation in the result showed up again as CSK lost to PBKS at home, before returning the favour at the picturesque Dharamshala. But the loss against GT at Ahmedabad on Friday complicated their entry into the playoffs.
Chennai have two games left, the home fixture against RR followed by a visit to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to take on RCB, to seal a place for themselves in the top 4. The defending champions will also need to hold up their good NRR as it seems likely that the factor will come into play.
RR, on the other hand, picked up a series of wins against LSG, DC, MI and RCB before being handed their first defeat of the season at home by GT.
However, the inaugural edition champions returned to winning ways with 4 wins on the bounce against PBKS, KKR, MI and LSG, but seem to have hit a downward trajectory with two consecutive losses, against SRH and DC, halting their string of triumphs.
Despite defeats in their previous two outings, the Royals are placed second in the standings, only behind KKR on Net Run Rate, with 16 points from 11 outings this campaign and will look to cement their place in the playoffs with a win at Chepauk on Sunday.
But, the hosts, who also need a triumph to maintain their impressive record of making the top four in all but two of their previous attempts, will fight tooth and nail to pick up a win in the crucial encounter, despite the absence of star pacers Matheesha Pathirana and Mustafizur Rahman.
The Royals look like a well-rounded side with big names featuring across the various departments and possess the quality to go toe-to-toe with any opposition on their day.
CSK skipper Gaikwad has led by example with his truckload of runs that have helped him feature high up in the race for the orange cap, while RR captain Samson has also been brilliant as always with the willow, which has earned him a call-up to the national side for the upcoming ICC T20I World Cup.
A lot will hinge on the performance of both skippers when the match gets underway at 3.30 PM IST for Chennai’s first and only early home game this season at the fabled MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.
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