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Confident Chennai face battered Rajasthan
Back in familiar territory after recording their biggest-ever win in terms of runs, Chennai Super Kings will fancy their chances when they lock horns with Rajasthan Royals, a team seeking to get back to winning ways in the Indian Premier League, on Wednesday.
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Two-time winners Chennai Super Kings are high on confidence after inflicting on Delhi Daredevils an embarrassing 93-run defeat on Monday. They needed a morale-booster like that after starting the campaign on a losing note.
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals, champions in the inaugural edition, tasted success to start with, but failed to prevent Kings XI Punjab from chasing down a 190-plus total in their last match.
Both teams have notched a win and defeat each from two outings.
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Chennai have a strong opening combination
The Super Kings will be banking on their strong batting to give them a flying start.
Suresh Raina, who struck his 20thfifty in the IPL on Monday, will again be the man to watch out for. The left-handed batsman is one of the most prolific batsmen in the Twenty20 tournament.
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The experienced Brendon McCullum is always expected to give the team brisk starts, and lending him support at the top is Dwayne Smith, who can play the big shots as well as anchor the innings.
Faf du Plessis is always dangerous and Ravindra Jadeja is a dependable bat as well.
And then there is skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is eager to have a good hit in the middle. India's captain smashed 32 off a mere 15 balls against Delhi in Monday's easy victory.
As far as their bowling is concerned, there is no individual brilliance, but they clicked as a combined unit, as was evident from their showing against the Delhi batsmen who were tied down with accurate swing bowling.
The bowlers were also helped by electric catching from Raina and Du Plessis.
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Rajasthan's batting looks solid
Ajinkya Rahane, Stuart Binny shone with the bat in Rajasthan's opening match while captain Shane Watson and Sanju Samson hit quick half-centuries, though in a losing cause, in the next.
Steven Smith got himself some quick runs against Kings XI, but he will be keen to contribute more handsomely, as would Abhishek Nayar and James Faulkner.
After being taken to the cleaners by Glenn Maxwell and David Miller, the Rajasthan Royals bowlers will look to get their act right at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
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