CSK batsmen should focus on batting an extra over - CSK vs DC pre match analysis

Chennai

It is that kind of a feeling you get when a team knows how to win a match but hasn't used its potential to the optimum. Chennai post defeating Hyderabad gives such a feeling. This game against Delhi, Chennai has a chance to assert to their opponents that this wasn't the team that played them before.

Sam Curran did play well as an opener but his absence was felt in the middle order causing a mini collapse. He can play anywhere, that is proven, but where he is needed most is what Dhoni should think about. He should play at number 5, the position where Bravo flopped. Bravo is one all-rounder too many. Just a few good overs with athletic fielding is not enough. CSK needs a medium-paced bowler who can stick to line and length, Josh Hazlewood. He has played Delhi before and was really economical. Hazlewood is consistent compared to the meteoric Bravo.

Piyush Chawla, brought in the place of Jagadeesan, was wasted in the previous match. Dhoni said that he needed a number 7 and it wouldn't be justified to place a batsman like Jagadeesan there. Jagadeesan should open with Shane Watson, followed by Faf, Rayudu, Sam Curran, Dhoni and Jadeja. This looks like a formidable line up.

There was some unease among CSK batsmen last match, though better than other matches. Of Watson and Rayudu, if one stayed at the crease for an extra over or if Dhoni stayed for one more over 20-25 more runs was a given. A 45-run win would've improved the net run rate of Chennai. The batsmen should look to bat another over and prolong it from there.

Delhi has won many matches defending than it has lost. CSK coming back from a stellar defence against SRH wouldn't risk bowling first, but however the aforementioned batting line up could be both defend and chase ready. With the sinistral seamers Nortje and Rabada, Chennai would need all the help in the batting, a crevice is what the duo needs to demolish CSK.

The all-Indian top 4 Delhi batsmen need some clinical bowling treatment to be sent back. Even if two of the four performs, then Delhi is surely in the contest. Bowlers ought to plug out their strengths. And down, Stoinis is a cheeky customer and not a stroke-maker, he needs to be tempted to commit mistakes, bowl a loose delivery and you'll pay for it.  Alex Carey and Rahane should prove their inclusion worth as soon as possible.

Dhoni was talking about introducing Curran to death bowling and this seems like the perfect time. Curran and Hazlewood could bring discipline to death bowling. Sharjah is a malleable pitch with performance, Kings XI Punjab has proved with its commanding chase against Bangalore, sixes were for the taking.

Both DC and CSK should forget what Sharjah could offer and should marshal their sides to perform physically and psychologically. Delhi could be favourites but CSK's current composition is nothing like their previous encounter. Likewise, CSK may have put up a champion show in their previous match but they should realise this is a fresh day that needs fresh intent. With such a mindset and performance from both the sides Sharjah could witness an epoch-making day of cricket.

CSK probables (in batting order) - N Jagadeesan, S Watson, Faf du Plessis, A Rayudu, S Curran, MS Dhoni, R Jadeja, K Sharma, J Hazlewood, D Chahar, S Thakur

DC probables (in batting order) - P Shaw, S Dhawan, A Rahane, S Iyer, M Stoinis, A Carey, R Ashwin, K Rabada, A Nortje, T Deshpande, A Patel