Sunrisers Hyderabad is a new franchise and poses new challenge Surprising all it is rubbing shoulders with RCB and CSK on the top. Everyone expected CSK and RCB to rise above, but Sunrisers joining them on top have raised eyebrows. Along with Rajasthan Royals it has spoiled the parties of big teams of IPL. Despite all surprises and dissimilarities, Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad face each other to join the league topper Royal Challengers Bangalore on 12 points, although on Chennai pitch there is very less hope for Sunrisers.
Indian Premier League 2013: Schedule
CSK vs Hyderabad
Before the last edition Chennai Super Kings were tied at 4 wins each with the previous Hyderabad-based IPL team, Deccan Chargers, but winning both the matches in 2012 gives them a lead of 6-4 over DC.
Sunrisers Hyderabad – The Surprise Package
Nobody could decipher the code of their success. While RCB has grabbed both Orange and Purple Cap, CSK players are also in that race. But Sunrisers players are nowhere in that race. Amit Mishra is the closest to the Purple cap, but yet to grab it. Their batting is still nothing more than a 130-run team. Shikhar Dhawan is expected to play his first match today for Sunrisers, but expecting a miracle from him with the depleted batting unit would be impractical. Their best batsman has not touched 150 runs in the last 7 matches, and he is barred entry in Chennai. They just have one half-century on board in 7 innings. Their only total above 150-runs was easily hit down single-handedly by Kohli.
Sunrisers Hyderabad Match results in 2013
In a T20 competition they do not have scoring batsmen to show. In fact they have the least 6s and 4s in the competition so far. Strangely enough it is their bowling which has got them 10 points helping them win low-scoring matches. The trio of Amit Mishra, Steyn and Ishant Sharma are the pack of wolves hounding the opposition. They are lucky to have another good spinner Karan Sharma on show who has very economic performance in the last 3 matches taking 4 wickets too.
Sunrisers Team Performance in 2013
Chennai Super Kings – The Surprise High at Start
Chennai Super Kings have a trend in IPL of peaking in the second half of the tournament upto an extent which is just enough to reach the knockouts. To everyone’s surprise in the 6th edition they already have 5 wins out of 7, a rare situation for them in the first half of IPL.
Some may not see it as a good sign for them. Yet, with their batsmen and bowling firing in tandem with excellent fielding they do not have much to bother about and can target topping the league for a change which they have never done in 5 editions. Yet, from the two defeats they can prepare for future contests.
While Hussey and Jadeja have grabbed all the MOMs so far for them, Bravo had his hand once on Purple Cap and can grab it tonight again from his fellow Carribean Narine. Dhoni has been successful, Raina has just played a knock promising to get back in form. Jadeja has established himself as a good finished.
Yet they have concerns in the way their entire batting perished against Pune Warriors. That was the day when Hussey failed on top, Dhoni and Jadeja too failed. Another such day may invite another defeat as despite having good batsmen till number 10, uner pressure they have failed. They must be aware that Sunrisers have a better bowling than Warriors.
Ashwin has good economy, Bravo has highest wickets, but what about other bowlers!! Dhoni has used them well to keep winning so far, yet others have not moved beyond average performance.
Verdict
CSKs bowling has not much to worry against Sunrisers as Hyderabad batsmen are not in the league of T20 hitters. So at best they can score 140 runs, not more, unless someone has got very inspired from Sehwag, Watson, Hussey and Gayle during their mini vacation period after 7th match.
This is a game for CSK to win easily, unless their batsmen repeat a Warrior-match performance. But considering the opposition, CSK can try their bench strength and still come up with a huge score, if they bat first, winning by a handsome margin.
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