Super Kings look to consolidate position

Having pulled off a dramatic win in their last match, an in-form Chennai Super Kings will look to consolidate their position as they gear up to lock horns with laggards Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League (IPL) here on Monday.

Starting their campaign in the sixth edition of the tournament with a loss, Chennai seemed to have got their mojo back after posting back-to-back wins, including Saturday night’s victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore, in a nail-biting finish.

On the other hand, Pune have already suffered three losses in four outings, their only win coming over Rajasthan Royals.

With Pune still struggling to come to terms, the match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium will be an opportunity for Chennai to add another two points to their kitty.

The hosts have the resources in abundance, in both batting and bowling, and it will be interesting to see what strategy Pune employ against the side led by India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

With Mike Hussey and Murali Vijay at the top, Chennai have a formidable opening pair at their disposal. And the best part, from the home side’s point of view is, both are in good nick.

Considering the format, the middle-order is full of talent and experience, with the presence of Suresh Raina, Subramaniam Badrinath and Dhoni.

Then there is Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin, who is no bunny with the bat either.

It was Jadeja who stole the limelight in the side’s win over RCB with a breezy match-winning knock.  

As far as Chennai’s bowling is concerned, they have the pacers as well spinners to not only take wickets, but also stem the flow of runs when required.

Dirk Nannes and Chris Morris did a good job against RCB, with the latter sending back the dangerous Chris Gayle for one of his three wickets.  

Bravo has always been a handy all-rounder and then there is Ashwin and Jadeja.
If one includes Albie Morkel in the ranks, it only adds to Chennai’s strengths.

To ensure that the match is played on an even keel, the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Ross Taylor, Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh will have to fire in unison for Pune.

Yuvraj, especially, carries a lot of expectations whenever the visitors are playing and unfortunately for them, the left-hander is yet to crack that one big knock that could give the side a boost.

And so is Taylor, the New Zealander can be destructive on his day. Pune are hoping that Monday would be his day.

Star watch

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS
* MICHAEL HUSSEY: Tho-ugh he could do little of note against Royal Challengers Bangalore, the veteran left-hander showed what he is capable of when he notched up a big unbeaten fifty against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali. The opener will be keen to make quick amends to his Saturday’s blip at the Chepauk.

PUNE WARRIORS
* ROSS TAYLOR: The former Kiwi skipper has only flickered briefly for his newest IPL team, but the hard-hitting batsman can be taken lightly at one’s own peril. The right-hander is due for a big one and Super Kings provide him the right challenge to assert his class, and prove that his lean patch is a temporary phenomenon.