The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Troubled CSK takes on upbeat Royals

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Troubled CSK takes on upbeat Royals

IPL / Dhoni’s men have to deliver

— Photo: AFP

LYNCHPIN: It would stand Chennai Super Kings in good stead if its charismatic skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni performs with the bat, as he is reputed for, against Rajasthan Royals on Thursday.

Centurion: Its morale low after two defeats in the last three matches, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) braces up for a tough battle against defending champion Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League here on Thursday.

Just one win in five matches has left CSK third from bottom in the points table.

Royals, struggling until recently, got its campaign back on track by snapping Delhi Daredevils’ unbeaten run with a five-wicket triumph on Tuesday.

The win not only took it to fourth on the points table but also gave a new lease of life to its title defence hopes.

With its batting coming good, with Yusuf Pathan and Graeme Smith striking form, Royals’ consistently fine bowling can now look forward to being complemented by the willow-wielders.

Last year’s runner-up Super Kings is in turmoil and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has hinted at making changes to the squad, which is to miss the services of star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff due to injury.

Dhoni’s own form has been nothing to write about and has been a flop with just 79 runs in four matches.

Hayden’s success

The responsibility of leading the batting has invariably fallen on Australian Matthew Hayden and he has handled it with élan.

The left-hander has 215 runs in four matches including two half centuries at an average of over 50.

But the rest of the line-up has not backed him enough.

CSK’s bowling has been no better with the exception of spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan.

The likes of Manpreet Gony and L. Balaji have not made an impression as yet.

Royals’ bowling, led by Warne and 20-year-old pace sensation Kamran Khan, has been impressive throughout.

“If we keep performing, we can be a force in the competition,” said Warne. — PTI

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