The State of Play
The Chennai Super Kings will get an immediate chance at revenge when they host the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024 tomorrow.
The teams faced off on Friday with LSG cruising to an unexpectedly straightforward eight-wicket win in the reverse fixture.
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Having limited CSK to 176 for six from their 20 overs, the Super Giants used the platform provided by Quinton De Kock and KL Rahul to knock off the runs and ease to their fourth win in seven games.
De Kock and Rahul put on 134 for the first wicket in 15 overs with the Super Kings bowlers unable to make any impact.
It amounted to a very satisfying day for LSG captain – and player of the match – Rahul. He said afterwards: “Feels good at the end of the day, When you win, it looks like you make all the decisions right.
“It depends on the kind of wicket we are playing on and the kind of batters there are. We spend time doing homework on tactics and strategy and we spoke about them not settling against one style of bowling. We worked really hard at training, good to see the team sticking to that.”
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It was a disappointing display by the Super Kings, who came into the contest on the back of successive wins but they never got going. Only Ravindra Jadeja with 57 not out and MS Dhoni, who smashed 28 off nine balls, emerged with any credit for CSK, who have also won four of seven.
Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is pleased to have the chance to right the wrongs of that performance so quickly.
He said: “It’s good to play them again soon, we will come back with our homework done.”
LSG may be boosted further by the return to fitness of young paceman Mayank Yadav, who has missed the last two games with an abdominal strain.
Focus Level: Pathi 💯 #WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/zGQBnmDBfi
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 22, 2024
Expected line-ups
Chennai Super Kings: Rahane, Ravindra, Gaikwad (c), Jadeja, Dube, Ali, Dhoni (wk), Chahar, Deshpande, Rahman, Pathirana
Lucknow Super Giants: De Kock, Rahul (c, wk), Pooran, Stoinis, Hooda, Badoni, Pandya, Bishnoi, Yadav, Khan, Thakur
How to Watch
Sky have the rights to show the IPL to UK viewers in 2024 and will broadcast every game live. Tuesday’s match will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket from 2.50pm BST.
In India, the games can be streamed on the Jio Cinema app and website. They are also available across the Star Sports Network.
𝙉𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙖 𝙄𝙣𝙜𝙖 𝙑𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙝𝙪𝙩𝙤𝙢, Chennai 👋🙏 pic.twitter.com/3NYTHQzVo2
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 22, 2024
Prediction
Given the comprehensive nature of LSG’s win last week, it seems logical to back them to repeat the dose in Chennai.
But the Super Kings will be backed by their customary boisterous support and will be determined to avenge that setback.
Their batting has been inconsistent and they may look to find a way to get Dhoni in earlier. The former India wicketkeeper has made some wonderful cameos this season but often when the innings is running out of deliveries.
LSG will hope Yadav’s return keeps them on the front foot. The speedster has made a huge impression in IPL 2024 so far and the visitors will be eager to get him on the field to shake up the Super Kings’ batters.
It promises to be a closely fought encounter but we think home advantage may just prove crucial. It may be a nail-biter but we are going for the Super Kings to edge it and boost their hopes of a play-off spot.
