The Chennai Super Kings have returned to their city, and they couldn’t be happier. Each team this year has endured a lengthy wait before returning to the field, but MS Dhoni and company will be among the most keenly aware of the theme as they return to a stadium where they have well outpaced their losses since the tournament’s start.
Six of CSK’s nine league wins came at the venue in the most recent season they played there (2019). This is the definition of home advantage. They’ve returned for another go-round in an effort to make amends for the previous campaign and strengthen their position in the standings for when they hit the road.
Thus far this season, Lucknow Super Giants have been the first team to arrive with the baton to poke holes in such statistical advantages. They have an explosive top order that completely dismantled the attack of the Delhi Capitals on their home real surface just two days ago. How well they can repeat those actions, possibly on a slower and stickier surface, will determine their ability to challenge CSK’s home supremacy and even lay down a blueprint on how to play at Chepauk.
These two teams, each with at least two left-handers in their top-order, promise exciting mini-battles at a stadium where spinners have traditionally stolen the show. While CSK may field two left-arm spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner, LSG will likely field at least one spinner (though Ravi Bishnoi is more likely to bowl googlies than legspinners) who can pitch the ball in their direction. The game’s outcome may hinge on whose assault succeeds in limiting damage more effectively.
When: April 3, 2023, 7:30 PM IST When: Chennai Super Kings vs. Lucknow Super Giants
Location: Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium
What to anticipate: the kind of grip and turn on the surface that has eluded Stephen Fleming for as long as he’s been gone from the game. Spinners grabbed 11 of the 20 wickets to fall and Ravindra Jadeja bowled a miserly performance of 10-0-34-0 in the ODI series decider last month, which was played at the venue with new canopies and the opened up I, J, K stands. Both sides are likely to field spin-heavy lineups.
The two teams had met only before, with LSG prevailing with to half centuries from Quinton de Kock and Evin Lewis in response to CSK’s 210/7 at the Brabourne stadium in Mumbai.
Team Sightings:
The Super Kings of Chennai
Moeen Ali didn’t bowl an over in CSK’s first game, but he may play a pivotal role against a left-handed opening pair of Kyle Mayers and Nicholas Pooran in their home opener. As KL Rahul’s strike rate plummets against left-arm spinners, Mitchell Santner and Ravindra Jadeja will also be crucial.
If they choose to bat first, leg-spinner Prashant Solanki, who bowled extensively in the nets the day before the game, might be a crucial replacement. Solanki may even start the game at the expense of Shivam Dube if they decide to bowl first, with Dube coming in as a substitute.
The most likely eleven are Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube/Prashant Solanki, MS Dhoni, Deepak Chahar, Mitchell Santner, and Rajvardhan Hangargekar.
The Super Giants of Lucknow
Strategies and pairings: Despite losing KL Rahul early, LSG showed their batting prowess in the opening game. The situation may improve for LSG in Chepauk, as their skipper has a good record against CSK’s best PowerPlay bowler, Deepak Chahar (120 runs off 79 balls, not out). At the beginning of 2019, Rahul has a 60.17 batting average against CSK with four fifty plus scores in seven innings.
If the circumstances are favorable for spin bowling, LSG may once again choose Krishnappa Gowtham as a replacement or perhaps select him to bowl first.
As for the rest of the probable Lineup, they are as follows: KL Rahul, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya, Ayush Badoni/K Gowtham, Mark Wood, Jaydev Unadkat, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan.
Is it true that…
Since the year 2022, Mark Wood’s T20 stats read: 24 wickets in 32 overs.
CSK has a 79.17 victory percentage when playing at Chepauk.
What they had to say
“Last time I played for CSK, but it didn’t go quite well. But I wanted to make an impact in this game. The landing area was a bit of an issue, but I am pleased with my rhythm as I managed to take wickets.” – Mark Wood after his dream start in IPL 2023
“I think India team selection doesn’t come into my mind at this moment because we have 15 games left at the moment. I am really thinking about how I can contribute to CSK winning each and every game and getting close to qualification, getting closer to a title. It’s better to stay in the present and contribute to the team.” – Ruturaj Gaikwad on what he’s focussing on currently.
