IPL 2026: Form dips, key match-ups and Dhoni buzz dominate CSK vs SRH build-up
Chennai, May 18
Chennai Super Kings face Sunrisers Hyderabad in a must-win Indian Premier League clash at their home ground, the Chepauk Stadium, on Monday, with both teams eyeing crucial points in the playoff race.
With six wins and six losses each, CSK is placed fifth in the points table. A win could take them above fourth-placed Punjab Kings (PBKS), who have 13 points. A loss will pretty much mark the end of CSK's playoff chances. Ahead of the match, there are a few positives for both teams, while there are also negatives that they need to fix.
Ahead of the match, here are a few talking points:
*Heinrich Klaasen's match-up against CSK spinners
CSK spinners Akeal Hosein (seven wickets in six matches at an average of 25.28 and an economy rate of 8.16, with a four-wicket haul) and Noor Ahmed (12 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 28.91 with an economy rate of 7.88), enjoy an economy rate of 8.5 as a duo this season, the second-best this season, as per ESPNCricinfo.
Klaasen enjoys a fine match-up against Noor, having scored 73 in 38 balls, with a strike rate of 192.1, having been dismissed twice in six innings. He has smacked six fours and five sixes against the Afghan spinner.
Against Akeal, Klaasen has scored 30 in 11 balls, with four and four sixes at a strike rate of 272.72, being dismissed once in two innings.
*Will 'Thala' MS Dhoni show up?
At the start of the season, CSK fans received a jolt when MS Dhoni was ruled out for two weeks due to a calf strain. But it has been a back-end of the tournament and still, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter has not shown up, despite training in the nets.
With Dhoni having expressed his desire to play his last T20 at Chepauk many times publicly and this once again speculated to be his last season, maybe the five-time IPL-winning skipper could show up.
As per ESPNCricinfo, Dhoni trained on Sunday for 30-40 minutes, facing throwdowns and spinners.
*CSK's strong record against SRH at home
CSK has a psychological edge over SRH, having won five of their six matches against the Orange Army at their home venue.
*Anshul Kamboj's dipping numbers
Kamboj, the third-highest wicket-taker this season with 19 scalps in 12 matches at an average of 22.52 and an economy rate of 10.11, has faced a form dip in the past three matches.
In the past three matches, as per ESPNCricinfo, he has taken two wickets at an economy rate of 14.9, as compared to 12 wickets at an ER of seven in the previous six outings before this dip. The previous outing against LSG saw Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran take him down brutally with four and seven sixes, leaving him with figures of 0/57 in 2.3 overs.
*SRH's poor catching efficiency is a cause for concern
SRH has dropped 20 catches this season, the most by a team this season and their catching efficiency has been 72.7 per cent, the second worst this season, as per Cricbuzz.
*Pat Cummins' encouraging match-up against Sanju Samson
Cummins has not dismissed Samson in five meetings, but has kept the explosive batter quiet, conceding just 23 runs in 18 balls, with just one six.
It could come in handy against CSK's opening pair, who have the lowest run-rate (8.84) and the second-worst average (25.54) this season, as per Cricbuzz.
Samson has posted 450 runs in 12 innings at an average of 50.00 and a strike rate of 164.23, with two centuries and a fifty. On the other hand, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has made 306 runs in 12 innings at an average of 30.60 and a strike rate of over 124, with two fifties.
Squads: Chennai Super Kings Squad: Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Akeal Hosein, Matthew Short, Matt Henry, MS Dhoni, Shreyas Gopal, Dian Forrester, Zakary Foulkes, Rahul Chahar, Kuldip Yadav, Akash Madhwal, Aman Khan, Macneil Noronha Sunrisers Hyderabad Squad: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Smaran Ravichandran, Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins(c), Shivang Kumar, Praful Hinge, Eshan Malinga, Sakib Hussain, Aniket Verma, Liam Livingstone, Harsh Dubey, Harshal Patel, Kamindu Mendis, Dilshan Madushanka, Gerald Coetzee, Jaydev Unadkat, Zeeshan Ansari, Krains Fuletra, Onkar Tarmale, RS Ambrish, Amit Kumar.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Klaasen vs our spinners is going to be the key battle. The guy literally smashed Noor and Akeal all over the park in past meetings! If he gets going, SRH could post 200+ easily. But CSK's home record against SRH gives me hope - 5 out of 6 wins is no joke. Come on boys, do it for the Yellow Army! 🟡
Anshul Kamboj's form dip is concerning. From being our star bowler to getting smashed for 57 runs in 2.3 overs against LSG - that's a huge fall. And SRH dropping 20 catches this season? That's pathetic! They need to work on their fielding if they want to make playoffs. Both teams have issues, but this match is going to be a thriller for sure!
I think people are overhyping Dhoni's return. He's 43 now and has been out with a calf strain. Even if he plays, can he really make a difference? Our batting depends on Samson and Gaikwad, not a past-prime finisher. But knowing Thala, he might just prove us all wrong! 🏏
Pat Cummins vs Sanju Samson stats are interesting - no dismissal in 5 meetings but only 23 runs in 18 balls! That's a great match-up for SRH. But honestly, Samson has been in sublime form this season with 450 runs. If he gets going early, CSK could post a massive total. The key is our middle order - Dube and Brevis need to step up too.
N We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.