With two matches to be played on Thursday, the fifth season of the Indian Premier League continues to serve up more action as current champions Chennai Super Kings take on former champions Rajasthan Royals. The two teams are very well in the hunt for the playoffs and would be eager to earn points.
Rajasthan Royals have 12 points having won six matches and lost six. They have done well to register two wins back to back, a streak that sees them lift into fourth place. On Tuesday, they were emphatic in their win against Pune Warriors, scoring the required 126 runs off just 16.2 overs.
That chase was powered by Shane Watson’s brutal 90-run knock who has been instrumental with the Royals in the previous seasons as well. In addition, Rahul Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane at the top of the order provide the much needed stability at the top of the order, though the pair has failed in the last two outings.
The bowlers have stuck to their plan and tear-away pacer Shaun Tait picked up three wickets for 13 runs. His pace may potentially trouble the Chennai batsmen.
Chennai Super Kings are a point behind their opponents and are sixth on the table. They have been involved in three last-ball finishes this season, as some nerve-wrecking cricket has been played.
They ended up on the losing end though against Mumbai Indians as 14 runs came of Ben Hilfenhaus’ last three balls, that changed the result of the match. While the batsmen such as Suresh Raina, Murali Vijay and Dwyane Bravo did their bit well, it will be imperative for the team to lift itself up as a whole, given that Stephen Fleming, the coach, also suggested that the atmosphere in the dressing room looked pretty flat since.
The match will be played in Jaipur, the home ground for Rajasthan Royals who lost their previous meeting to Chennai Super Kings off the last ball.