Match 19 Preview: CSK (67%) expected to win against Pune (33%)
By
Amar Dani
On
April 15, 2013
Pune Warriors India is forced to take on the field without their captain Angelo Mathews against
Chennai Super Kings. Political Pressure in southern India over the war crimes in Sri Lanka bars the
islanders from Playing in Chennai. So the team management has to pick a different captain, most
likely Yuvraj Singh or Ross Taylor.
CSK, though, are still trying to get over the pleasant surprise that arrived from Bangalore in the
form of a win 'with a ball to spare'. Needing to defend two runs off the last ball, RCB pacer RP Singh
delivered a no-ball. Ravindra Jadeja, who was caught off that no-ball, scampered two runs to take
the team home.
Pune who are currently drooling at 8th position in the table while CSK is at 4th Position with two wins
and one loss. Chennai has a much easier task in their hand compare to the threat posed by RCB. But
Chennai won’t be relaxing, knowing the kind of match winners Pune have.
Yuvraj, Uthappa, Taylor are players of incredible Talent but they lack consistency. Aron Finch as an
opener is well endowed with capabilities of tearing apart any new ball-attack. There have been a
glimpse of some performance for Pune but they have to maintain that throughout.
The bowling department also making them nervous, bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Ahoke Dinda have
been expensive with new ball. Angelo Mathews won’t be available for the match and Mitchell
Marsh is more of a stop gap arrangement. Only Yuvraj Singh and Rahul sharma has been promising.
Luke wright or Steve smith is the possible replacement for Angelo Mathews. With Luke Wright they
will have another option for opener.
Chennai are now fourth on the points table with two wins and a loss from their three appearances
and unlikely to tinker much with their playing XI. If anything, one can only think of spinner Shadab
Jakati replacing medium-pacer Mohit Sharma. Pacers Dirk Nannes and Chris Morris and allrounder
Dwayne Bravo have filled the foreign spots well so far, alongside Mike Hussey.
CSK batting too hasn't shown any signs to worry, with each of their batsman getting among the runs
with one or more decent knocks. Hussey, Vijay and Dhoni have a half-century each under their belt,
while Suresh Raina, S Badrinath and Jadeja scored useful 30s in the last match against Bangalore.
Chennai seems to have a clear upper hand when they face the Pune, but Pune will also be hoping to
give CSK a tough fight.