CHENNAI: There was a time when chennai super kings Playing the match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium is a tough task for the visiting IPL teams. Over the past year, the fortress has slowly begun to lose its fangs.The five-time champions, who managed just one win in six games at Chebauk last season, will be looking to shake off their woes and banish those demons when they face a confident Kings XI Punjab in their first home match on Friday. Their last memory at this venue was a four-wicket loss to the same opponents. After finishing with the wooden spoon last year, CSK – who have a bunch of young players in their ranks – will be looking to bring back some of the old Chebauk magic. Earlier this week, CSK Ruturaj Gaikwadwere beaten by Rajasthan Royals in the season opener by eight wickets in Guwahati.
CSK’s top dilemmaWith MS Dhoni’s availability still uncertain, all eyes are now on World Cup hero Sanju Samson. In terms of wicketkeeper-batsman, CSK has a proven player who can stabilize the team. But in the opener against RR, Samson started the innings along with Ruturaj but failed to make headway – both scored just six runs.It wasn’t just the two who were shaken. The batting line-up, which centered around six batsmen, collapsed against Rajasthan with Ayush Maitre, Matthew Short, Karthik Sharma and Shivam Dubey failing to bat. Lacking enough experience, CSK’s batting line-up looks like a fish out of water. Lower all-rounder Jamie Overton was the only bright spot as CSK limped to 127.Ruturaj, however, strongly supports the youth. “This is a new, young group; they will learn slowly. The more games they play, the better they will get,” Ruturaj said.Ayer may playMeanwhile, there is a lot of positivity surrounding Kings XI Punjab as they started the season with a wicket win over Gujarat Titans. But the captain is a little worried Shreyas IyerHis health after being hit in the wrist. However, assistant coach Brad Hardin said Ayer is ready to play. “There’s no rest. So that’s a good thing. Now, all we have to do is get the swelling down and get some movement back in the hand,” Hardin said.
| 7 – Kings XI Punjab have won seven of their last eight games against CSK. Their record includes five consecutive wins between October 7, 2021, and May 1, 2024. CSK’s only win during this period was a 28-run win in Dharamshala on May 5, 2024.
— Stats: Rajesh Kumar |
