In the 49th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 has Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be locking horns with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday. CSK is already out of contention to reach the playoffs and they will be playing the match to salvage some pride. Despite having a decent squad, inconsistency in performances from the crucial cogs cost them a playoff place for the first time in IPL history.
However, CSK will be banking on youngsters like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sam Curran. On the other hand, KKR is still in contention to reach the playoffs. However, they haven’t managed to give their best performance with an injury to Andre Russell making things worse. They have won 6 games out of the twelve matches so far, which isn’t catastrophic, but considering the current form of Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), KKR would be desperate for a win against MS Dhoni and his men.
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KKR had registered a comfortable win over CSK in the reverse fixture, where Rahul Tripathi scored his maiden IPL fifty for the franchise. However, CSK would have no pressure on their shoulders this time around, which could make them even more of a threat to KKR’s playoff hopes in IPL 2020. With two valuable points up for grabs for Eoin Morgan and his men will be hoping for a combined effort to take the team home.
As the two sides prepare for a thrilling encounter, here’s a look at three key player battles to keep an eye on.
#1. Shubman Gill vs Shardul Thakur
Virat Kohli has taken it upon himself to deliver the goods for KKR in the last game. In 12 matches, Kohli has smashed 378 runs at a strike rate of 113.85. Thrice, Gill has crossed the fifty mark, batting in his trademark style. KKR opener’s ability to build his innings and go berserk in the death overs is a massive plus for the Knight Riders.
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The CSK pacer, Shardul Thakur has not been able to prove his worth for CSK as he scalped 9 wickets in the season so far. Against Gill, though, Shardul will have his task cut out. The KKR youngster is one of the best players of spin in the world and will look to unsettle the mystery spinner.
#2. MS Dhoni vs Varun Chakravarthy
The CSK skipper, MS Dhoni has had a below-par tournament thus far by his own high standards but on his day remains a formidable opponent regardless of the format, such is his ability to fashion run-scoring opportunities. Varun Chakravarthy has been KKR’s go-to man whenever they needed wickets and they will hope he can dismiss the CSK skipper early and thus increase their chances of a victory.
#3. Eoin Morgan vs Deepak Chahar
On Thursday, Deepak Chahar will come across the might of KKR veteran, Eoin Morgan, whose recent inning against RR has been something else altogether. Chahar has played just every match for CSK he has scalped 10 wickets in the 12 matches so far and maintained an economy of 7.28.
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Chahar’s economy will surely be challenged by Morgan, who has so far played nine games for 335 runs at an insane strike rate of 131.37! He has so far hit 18 sixes and 25 fours in IPL 2020. The last time the two teams met this year, Morgan was dismissed cheaply and now he will be looking to take revenge of the same.
