Raining sixes between Kings and Royals
This has the feel of a match that could be looked back on at the end of the season and have been pivotal in the race for the top four, as the Chennai Super Kings take on the Rajasthan Royals for Match 12 of this year’s Vivo Indian Premier League at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
A return to form
Two points in this one for the Chennai Super Kings and they could leap as high as second in the table, if the victory margin is high enough. And it would be hard to argue against the men in yellow who seems to have a new energy about them this year, after looking stale in the last couple of IPL’s.
They reaped the rewards of this new mentality with a convincing 6 wicket win over the Punjab Kings last time out. They reduced the Kings to 26-5 inside the powerplay with Deepak Chahar continuing his strong start to the tournament with a staggering 4-13 from his four overs. He was backed up well by Moeen Ali, Dwayne Bravo, Sam Curran and Ravi Jadeja who all went for under a run a ball.
Chasing just 107 to win, Faf du Plessis (36*) and Moeen Ali (46) got the bulk of the runs to get CSK over the line with 26 balls left in the tank. It won’t be that easy I’m sure this time out, but it is a result that will boost the confidence of the experienced side.
Another man down
If losing Jofra Archer wasn’t bad enough for the Rajasthan Royals, losing their other key English overseas signing Ben Stokes is pretty much the worse case scenario. Stokes has suffered a hand injury that is keeping him out for the whole of the IPL and the beginning of the English summer, but is staying in India to learn from his team mates and Head Coach Kumar Sangakkara.
The Royals find themselves in the same boat as CSK, as a win in this one could see them climb as high as second, after their three wicket win over the Delhi Capitals on Thursday. Figures of 3-15 from 4 overs for Jaydev Unadkat helped keep the Capitals to 147 from their 20 overs, but the Royals took it to the last over to complete the run chase after none of the top 4 made it into double figures. But 62 from David Miller and 36* from Chris Morris secured the two points for the Royals.
Match Tip
Two of the most prolific six hitters in the IPL, Moeen Ali and Sanju Samson, are both purring and looking in good touch, so it could be a high scoring encounter.
That why I think there will be over 14.5 sixes in the match between the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals at 1.83 with Fun88.
Post bet chat Jack's Tips:
16 sixes as CSK claimed a big win over the Royals.