CSK vs KKR IPL 2019 Preview: The clash of two top teams

This is serious fun. The two top teams of IPL 2019 lock horns against each other. CSK have dominated their opponents with their trademark ‘Maahi’ style gameplan while KKR have outdone oppositions through superior team work and Russell storm.

And as both teams face each on April 08, eyes will be on Dhoni’s strategy to keep Russell quiet and it will also be interesting to see the match up between KKR’s spin bowling and the  might of CSK’s batsman.

Venue:

The Cheepauk stadium is known for its assistance for spinners but the batsmen can find their way if they apply themselves.

"Crowd support us 100%, whenever chips are down they lift us. It really helps when the crowd is behind. They come not only for games but also for practice. The love and affection showed by them is amazing."
– AnbuDen #Thala ?? pic.twitter.com/mXGVfgSp1s

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 7, 2019

Form guide:

Faf du Plessis’s inclusion has boosted CSK’s top-order but the team will want Raina to step-up asap. Deepak Chahar and Harbhajan Singh have done justice to their roles while Imran Tahir has been fantastic.

The team needs their overseas pacer to fire and while Dhoni has carried the finisher’s role he will be helped if he gets some support from the lower middle order especially after Bravo’s injury.

Chris Lynn regaining form was probably the last part of the puzzle for KKR and with that falling in place there is very little that they need to improve on. Maybe a little more incision by the pacers will help.

Jaipur ✈ Chennai
We had a great stint in the Pink city, it's now time for a Yellow challenge! ?@NokiamobileIN #CSKvKKR #KKRHaiTaiyaar pic.twitter.com/gp6j7ceYXm

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 8, 2019

Key numbers:

• In head to head battles, CSK has won 12 games while KKR has won 9 matches.

• Both sides are spin heavy but their numbers are contrasting. CSK’s spinners Imran Tahir and Harbhajan Singh average 13.85 and 13.40 respectively while KKR’s spin trio Kuldeep Yadav, Piyush Chawla and Sunil Narine average 45.33, 51.66 and 107 respectively.

Don’t forget to read the CSK vs KKR match prediction 

Players in focus:

With 118 runs in five games, Suresh Raina is having a dull Indian Premier League season so far but it can change against KKR as he loves batting against them. The southpaw has scored 664 runs against KKR at a whopping average of 41.50 and interestingly enjoys a good record against Sunil Narine.

Chris Lynn has regained form and is looking dangerous. The opening batsman has scored 43, and 50 runs in his last two innings and can easily make this season a big one. He already scored 491 runs in IPL 2018 at an average of 32.73.