With five consecutive losses, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), led by MS Dhoni, are currently at the bottom of the points table. The team will look to make a comeback against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Dhoni is captaining the team in place of the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, who will miss the rest of the season. Given the struggles of batters against spinners at home, there will be no issue for the CSK batsmen to regain form while playing away.
CSK Batsmen Need to Step Up
CSK’s batsmen have not performed well, and their batting line-up was exposed against KKR. Openers Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway are two solid batsmen, but expecting them to go for aggressive shots from the very first ball is not in line with their playing style. Rahul Tripathi, who will bat at number three in place of Gaikwad, will be under significant pressure to deliver. The team also needs an excellent performance from experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Shivam Dube requires more support in the power-hitting department, and Dhoni himself will be the best person to provide that.
CSK May Include an Extra Batsman
CSK has the option of bringing in Mathisha Pathirana as an impact player. Given their batting struggles, they may opt to field with an extra batsman. LSG’s top-order batter, Nicholas Pooran, is in great form, and Pathirana could challenge him. Pathirana has dismissed Pooran four times in five matches.
Will Pant Open the Batting Again?
For LSG, opener Mitchell Marsh did not play against Gujarat Titans. During the toss, Rishabh Pant mentioned that Marsh was unavailable due to his daughter being ill. It’s still uncertain whether he will return for the CSK match, but if Marsh is fit, he will replace Himmat Singh. Marsh’s absence in the top order gave Pant the opportunity to open with the in-form Aiden Markram. Pant performed well in the top order, but with Marsh’s return, the question remains whether Pant will still open or give way to Marsh.
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Here is the predicted playing XI for both teams:
Lucknow Super Giants: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh/Himmat Singh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (captain and wicketkeeper), Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Akash Deep, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan.
Chennai Super Kings: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (captain and wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmed, Khaleel Ahmed.
