 The Kings XI Punjab will take on the Chennai Super Kings in the
54th game of the third edition of the IPL. The match will be played at Dharmasala.
Punjab is already out of the competition, whereas Chennai need to win this game
and wait for some of the other results in order to qualify for the semi-finals.
The Punjab side would be wondering why were they not able to get the best performance
out of their side in the start of the tournament. Of late, they have been able
to overcome Mumbai and Kolkata, and it is evident that the side has begun to
peak at a good time; unfortunately for them, they are already out of the tournament.
Click for Live Score Card of Mohali Punjab Kings Vs Chennai Super KingsOf course, they have been hit by the lack of form from Yuvraj Singh,
which, the critics have put down to the rift between the team management and
the ace batsman. But what about the rest of the players. One player never made
a team, and it is evident that had the other ten players played to their potential,
things may have been a tad better than what it is now.
Talking of their bowling, with Piyush Chawla coming of age, and the
pitches slowing down, it is obviously becoming difficult for the opposition
to bat against him. However, at Dharmasala, it remains to be seen whether the
same purchase would be obtained. With Brett Lee out with an injury, it remains
to be seen what will the Punjab's final, playing XI be.
The Super Kings, on the other hand, bowled like champions in their game against
Kolkata. Four wickets in the first four overs almost ended the game for their
opposition, and a lot of credit must be given to the manner in which R Ashwin
bowled. He was denied a hat-trick by the umpire, when a clear-cut inside-edge
to the fielder was not given out, but Ashwin would be happy with the man of
the match award that he received.
Having said that, Chennai will know that they have many improvement areas,
and one of them is the form of Matthew Hayden. Expecting Murali Vijay
to come good all the time is not fair and hence, it is necessary that Hayden
takes some onus onto himself to bat right through the innings.
Between the two teams, it is easy to say that Chennai will be favourites. However,
Chennai also know that Punjab has nothing to lose and hence will be a dangerous
opposition, as they have been in the previous games.
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