Chennai, who are riding high on confidence after their win over Rajasthan, will be facing Hyderabad who witnessed their first defeat in the 11th edition of Indian Premier League.
VIVO IPL 2018: Arm injury makes Shikhar Dhawan doubtful in the clash between Chennai and Hyderabad
It seems that Chennai Super Kings have resumed from where they had left two years ago, as they are have found different match-winners− Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and Shane Watson− in their three wins.
Even when they lost against Punjab by four runs, their skipper Dhoni had played an innings that reminded everyone of his finishing ability.
Sunrisers Hyderabad faced defeat when they lost by 15 runs as they were hit by ‘Gaylestorm’. Punjab’s Chris Gayle scored 104 not out off 63 balls and provided a big setback to Hyderabad after a neat start to their 2018 IPL campaign.
Besides getting defeated, Hyderabad’s star batsman Shikhar Dhawan got injured off the first ball he faced, as Barinder Sran’s delivery hit him on the left elbow.
Dhawan did not train with the rest of the team on Saturday as he wanted to give his injured elbow some time to recuperate. Despite having lost a power-hitter, like Dhawan, team mentor VVS Laxman said that his team have ‘enough luxury’ in the squad to make up for the possible loss.
SRH’s main strength was their bowling department, as they restricted their opponents to modest totals and chased them down successfully.
However that bowling department, especially Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, was smacked all around the park, courtesy of Chris Gayle.
Chennai have reached the top of the table and are proving to be the toughest team to beat in IPL 2018 as their key players are delivering at the crucial moments.
It was Watson’s turn on Friday as he demolished Rajasthan with 57-ball 106, followed by a miserly spell of 3-0-13-1.
It would be interesting to see how Hyderabad compose themselves and face Chennai as everyone saw how their initial planning have fallen apart against Punjab.