The 7th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 will be played between the newbies Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and oldies Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Both the teams had lost their opening games of IPL 2022t. In fact, Super Giants’ skipper, KL Rahul went on to say they “couldn’t have started the campaign in any better way”. Obviously, it is early days in the tournament but the main reason behind Rahul saying so was the middle-order of LSG saving the day for the team after early dismissals.
On paper, LSG’s middle-order looked weak but Deepak Hooda and Ayush Badoni made sure that eth team recovers after being reelin at 29 for 4. One thing Rahul might rue is him not making the apt use of Dushmantha Chameera, who was Super Giants’ most threatening bowler on the night but didn’t even get to bowl his full quota.
WATCH – KKR Missed An Easy Chance To Run-out Dinesh Karthik After Comedy Of Errors
CSK anyway have a reputation for being calm and composed despite results not going in their favor. But they too found positives in the defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders. MS Dhoni played an unbeaten knock of 50 off 38 balls and Dwayne Bravo picked up 3 for 20 from four overs. Both the teams lost their respective first games in this tournament, so both will look to win this one.
#1 Moeen Ali vs Quinton de Kock
Moeen Ali will be making comeback to the playing XI and it will be a major boost for CSK and for good reason. He has dismissed Quinton de Kock four times in T20s, and in return, the southpaw has seen the better of him on occasions. De Kock was cheaply dismissed in LSG’s opening game against Gujarat Titans and will look to make amends. Should the two faces each other, expect some hard-hitting and guile on display.
#2 MS Dhoni vs Ravi Bishnoi
And just when the world thought MS Dhoni has lost his batting skills, he rolled back the clock with a fifty in CSK’s season opener against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). His 38-ball-50 was crucial in giving Chennai a late innings push.
Dhoni will fancy his chances against leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who went wicketless against the Titans in his opening game of IPL 2022. Dhoni will look to put pressure by milking those ones and twos against Bishnoi and launching him into the stands as he progresses.
#3 Krunal Pandya vs Ambati Rayudu
Krunal Pandya has dismissed Ambati Rayudu a couple of times in the IPL and this will be a mid-overs contest to watch out for. Rayudu was off to a start in the first game but was prized out, while the older Pandya was economical against Gujarat. Krunal also has a better record against Ravindra Jadeja, dismissing him twice in the IPL. The tweaker has one that nips inside and keeps low that leaves the best of batters perplexed and we will be eager to send CSK’s top order back to the hut quickly.
