CSK vs KXIP IPL 2019 preview: Formidable CSK take on confident Punjab

A defeat in the last match doesn’t affect Chennai’s credentials as one of the strongest teams in IPL 2019 and Punjab will be thinking on the same lines.

A stunning win has boosted Punjab and they will like to carry the same confidence against Chennai. But do they have enough power in their punch to topple Chennai at their den?

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The Chennai pitch received a lot of flak for the first match but since then all has been good. Close to 350 runs were scored in the second game here and for this match expect the surface to have something for the batsmen without ruling out the slow bowlers.

Putting in the hard yards for the Chepauk challenge! ?

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— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 5, 2019

Form guide:

Ambati Rayudu is struggling, Raina’s hasn’t made a big score and Jadeja has been abysmal. But the brilliance shown by Watson, Dhoni and Jadhav has kept Chennai on course.

Bravo meanwhile has seen a lot of ups and down but Tahir has remained consistent while Deepak Chahar has delivered everytime while flying under the radar.

On the other hand, Rahul and Agarwal have been inconsistent but Punjab isn’t worried yet as Gayle and Miller have provided the flourish whenever needed. Sam Curran has done well and Mohammad Shami is back in the wickets column.

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— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 4, 2019

Key numbers:

• After blasting 602 runs in 2018, Ambati Rayudu has scored just 34 runs in four games in IPL season 12. And he may find it difficult against Punjab as well as R Ashwin has got out Rayudu four times in Indian Premier League.

• In the head to head battle, Chennai has won 11 while Punjab has won 8 games.

Also read the CSK vs KXIP match prediction here.

Players in focus:

Sam Curran averages just 16.06 in T20s and has a strike rate of 120.87 but Punjab proved that he is a lot better than what his numbers suggest as they pushed him at the top of the batting order and Curran delivered quickfire 20 runs.  Similar punt against CSK? And not to forget he is fresh from a hat-trick against Delhi.

Don’t forget to know the CSK vs KXIP Dotball Prediction here.

Deepak Chahar, the unsung hero of CSK has an economy rate of just 5.13 in Indian Premier League 2019. And he has managed it while bowling three overs every game in the Powerplays. His average of 19.25 isn’t too bad either. He will be a key weapon against Punjab’s lethal top order.