CSK vs PBKS Preview: Chennai Super Kings look to revive the Chepauk magic
Chennai Super Kings aim to reclaim their Chepauk fortress against a confident Punjab Kings after a disappointing season opener. CSK's top-order woes were evident in their loss to Rajasthan Royals, with youngsters needing time to develop. Punjab Kings, however, are buoyed by an opening win, with skipper Shreyas Iyer declared fit to play.
CHENNAI: There was a time when taking on Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium was a daunting task for the visiting IPL teams. Over the past year, the fortress has slowly begun to lose its fangs. The five-time champions, who managed just one win in six outings at Chepauk last season, hope to get off the blocks and banish those demons when they face a confident Punjab Kings in their first home fixture here on Friday.
Their last memory at this venue is a four-wicket defeat to the same opponent. After finishing with the wooden spoon last year, CSK — featuring a crop of youngsters in their ranks — will look to restore some of the old Chepauk magic. Earlier this week, CSK, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, were steamrolled by Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati by eight wickets in their season opener.
CSK’s top-order woes With MS Dhoni’s availability still uncertain, all eyes will now be on World Cup hero Sanju Samson. In the wicketkeeper-batter, CSK have a proven performer who can steady the ship. But in the opener against RR, Samson and Ruturaj, opening together, didn’t get going — both managing just six runs.
It wasn’t just the two who faltered. A batting line-up built around six-hitters crumbled against Rajasthan, with Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Kartik Sharma and Shivam Dube all failing to fire. With little experience to call upon lower down, the CSK batting line-up looked like a fish out of water.