Tuesday’s IPL fixture at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium will be between two wounded teams: Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings.
The depth of their wounds, though, is as different as it comes.
Host PBKS’ 50-run loss to Rajasthan Royals would just feel like a small cut compared to CSK’s struggles — coming off three crippling defeats (against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, RR and Delhi Capitals).
While PBKS batters showed fight in their 206-run chase despite losing early wickets, Super Kings’ efforts with the bat have been tame.
CSK’s scores after the first 10 overs in these games were as follows: 65 for four vs RCB, 74 for three vs RR, and 69 for four vs DC.
Dhoni during the match between CSK and Delhi Capitals at M A Chidambaram stadium in Chennai on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
RAGHUNATHAN SR
Dhoni during the match between CSK and Delhi Capitals at M A Chidambaram stadium in Chennai on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
RAGHUNATHAN SR
By the time Vijay Shankar (69 n.o., 54b, 5×4, 1×6) and M.S. Dhoni (30 n.o., 26b, 1×4, 1×6) got going against DC, the match had gone out of CSK’s reach.
A change of personnel, too, has not helped the five-time champion. A major course correction is necessary to beat Shreyas Iyer’s PBKS, which showed its might with two wins in its first two outings.
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PBKS though will have concerns in the bowling front after becoming the first IPL to concede 200 at the venue. Only Arshdeep Singh (4-0-35-1) and Lockie Ferguson (4-0-37-2) had decent outings as RR willow-wielders scored heavily in the death overs.
Nehal Wadhera’s knocks in the last two games should instill confidence in the PBKS ranks.
Will it be Kings or Super Kings that get back to winning ways?