IPL Cricket: Chennai-Hyderabad Clash Today in Crisis of Victory

The 5-time champion Chennai team is struggling unusually in the current season. This season has also not lived up to expectations for the former champions Hyderabad.

The 18th IPL cricket festival is underway in various cities of India. The 10 participating teams are divided into two groups and compete. Each team has to play 14 league matches, with 5 teams playing 2 matches each and the remaining 4 teams playing once. The top-4 teams at the end of the league round will advance to the 'play-off' round.

In this situation, Chennai Super Kings and Hyderabad Sunrisers will clash in the 43rd league match to be held tonight (Friday) at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai.

Chennai Super Kings Struggling in Current Season

The five-time champions Chennai have been struggling in the current season. After defeating Mumbai in their opening match at home, Chennai have since lost five consecutive matches (to Bengaluru, Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, and Kolkata). They returned to winning ways by defeating Lucknow in the seventh match. But they have not been able to sustain that momentum and are at the bottom of the points table after losing to Mumbai by 9 wickets in the last match. In that match, Mumbai reached the target of 177 runs set by Chennai in 15.4 overs. Despite using 20 players, Chennai has still not been able to find the right combination.

Every game is important for Chennai from now on. Only if they win the remaining 6 games can they stay in the play-offs. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if they can bounce back like they did in 2010.

Hyderabad's Struggles Continue

Former champions Hyderabad have also not had a good season. They have played 8 matches and have won 2 and lost 6. In their first match, Hyderabad scored 286 runs and won by 44 runs. After that, they lost 4 matches in a row (to Lucknow, Delhi, Kolkata, and Gujarat). In the 6th match, they defeated Punjab by 8 wickets. Then they lost 2 matches in a row against Mumbai.

For Hyderabad, who are at the 9th position in the points table, all the upcoming matches are crucial. Losing even one will ruin their chances of making it to the next round.

Key Players and Match Details

Hyderabad has no shortage of batting greats in Heinrich Klaasen (281 runs), Travis Head (242), Abhishek Sharma (240), Ishan Kishan, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The team is struggling because they are not consistent. Their bowlers, including Harshal Patel, captain Cummins, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Malinga, and Zeeshan Ansari, are performing quite well.

Both teams will be locked in a tight battle as a win is essential to stay in the running for the next round. So there will be no shortage of excitement in this match. Spinners are expected to make an impact on the slow Chepauk ground, having already taken 27 of the 50 wickets taken here this season.

Head-to-Head

These two teams have faced each other 21 times so far. Chennai have won 15 of these matches and Hyderabad 6. Chennai has won all 5 matches against Hyderabad in Chepauk and have been dominating.

Proposed List of Players for the Match:

Chennai Super Kings:

• Rachin Ravindra
• Sheikh Rashid
• Ayush Mathre
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Shivam Dube
• Vijay Shankar
• Dhoni (captain)
• Jamie Overdon or DeWalt Brevis
• R. Ashwin
• Noor Ahmed
• Khaleel Ahmed
• Pathirana

Hyderabad Sunrisers:

• Abhishek Sharma
• Travis Head
• Ishan Kishan
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Heinrich Klaasen
• Aniket Verma
• Abhinav Manohar
• Cummins (captain)
• Harshal Patel
• Jaydev Unadkat
• Rahul Chahar or Zeeshan Ansari
• Kamindu Mendis or Ishan Malinga

Match Timing

The match, which starts at 7:30 PM, will be broadcast live on Star Sports channel. Don’t miss the action!