CSK hold edge in Super battle at CCI

Ravindra Jadeja (right) with MS Dhoni during an IPL match v KKR at Wankhede recently. Pic/BCCI; IPL

Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium may not be the homeground for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but it is familiar territory for their skipper Ravindra Jadeja. The India all-rounder spent his early days at the Cricket Club of India when he was 14, learning the finer points of the game from former India captain Nari Contractor. Today, Jadeja, 33, returns to the venue to lead four-time IPL champions CSK against newcomers Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their second IPL encounter.

Searching for first win

Both CSK and LSG are looking for their first win of the season. Top-order batting and bowling issues are the main concern for both Jadeja and Lucknow skipper KL Rahul. However, the venue will have fond memories for at least two CSK players, veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu. Dhoni scored an unbeaten Test 100 against Sri Lanka here in 2009, while Rayudu smashed an 81-ball 100 in an ODI against the West Indies in 2018. In CSK's IPL-15 opener on Saturday too, Rayudu was going well before a misunderstanding with Jadeja cost him his wicket after a well-made 17-ball 15 in the six-wicket defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders. CSK look to be the more balanced side of the two, with the return of England all-rounder Moeen Ali, who missed the opening game as he had to undergo the mandatory COVID-19 quarantine having landed in Mumbai late due to visa issues. CSK also have two Mumbai boys in the squad - pacer Tushar Deshpande and all-rounder Shivam Dube, from whom they will have a lot of expectations.

Strong LSG batting line-up

Meanwhile, LSG, who lost their opening game to Gujarat Titans by five wickets at Wankhede on Monday, appear strong on paper. Rahul, Quinton de Kock, Evin Lewis and Manish Pandey form a solid top order who are followed by the gutsy Deepak Hooda and young Ayush Badoni, who made an impressive 55 and 54 respectively in their previous game against Gujarat. Dushmantha Chameera and Avesh Khan are reliable in the pace department while Krunal Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi will look to spin things around. It's a Super battle indeed.