IPL 2023 MATCH PREVIEW: CSK v LSG

The Chennai Super Kings are sitting at 4th on the points table with 5 wins and 4 loses from 9 games and only the net run rate separating them from 4 other teams.

CSK's last game was a tough defeat to swallow against Punjab Kings in their fortress, Chepauk. Despite Matheesha Pathirana's last over miracle which gave glimpses of hope for the men in yellow, It ended as a 4 wicket loss that dragged till the very last ball of the 400+ score match.

CSK batting has been top order heavy this season with both their openers, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway being inside the top 5 run scorers of the season so far. Meanwhile a surprise package in the form of Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube providing the necessary firepower in the middle overs.

Despite all this their middle and lower order batting hasn't been living up to the expectations with Moeen, Rayudu and Jadeja not putting in their muscles to work as their fans would have liked them to.

Unlike their batting, CSK's bowling isn't as easy to decipher. Their bowling in the powerplay has been constantly letting them down, lack of wickets are letting the opposition gain momentum and make full use of the field restrictions. Even though the spinners, especially Jadeja who has been exceptional with the ball, totally opposite as to him holding the bat this season and along with purple cap holder Tushar Deshpande who has been providing the crucial breakthrough but still ending up on the higher side of economy. The team in yellow have been blessed with one that they've never been used to, a quick, which could be an understatement, slinging yorker specialist Matheesha Pathirana.

CSK are facing Lucknow after their two Topsy turvy games, a high scoring 257 run match against Punjab and getting bundled for 108 against RCB in their home ground, Ekana cricket stadium.

Probable XI:

Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Singh, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana.

CSK might go unchanged like they usually do but would like to see Mitchell Santner in place of Maheesh Theekshana who hasn't been proven effective so far in the tournament.

Quinton Dekock, Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, K Gowtham, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Amit Mishra.

Lucknow Super Giants might be forced to make a change as their captain KL Rahul suffered an injury last game against RCB and Krunal Pandya is expected to be the stand in captain for today's game against CSK.

Head to Head

Both have 1 wins each

Match Ups

Rahane v Mishra - 96 runs, 3 out (123 SR)
Jadeja v Mishra - 31 runs, 4 outs (82 SR)
Dhoni v Mishra - 50 runs, 1 out (122 SR)
Rayudu v Mishra - 100 runs, 3 out (118 SR)
Rahane v Krunal - 48 runs, 2 outs (112 SR)
Jadeja v Krunal - 15 runs, 2 outs (100 SR)
Rayudu v Krunal - 37 runs, 2 out (119 SR)
Dube v Bishnoi - 33 runs, 1 out (165 SR)

Pooran v Jadeja - 47 runs, 1 out (204 SR)
Mayers v Moeen - 25 runs, 2 out (147 SR)
Stoinis v Moeen - 25 runs, 1 out (208 SR)
Stoinis v Theeksana - 36 runs, 0 out (240 SR)
Pooran v Deshpande - 15 runs, 1 out (188 SR)

Form Update ( last 5 innings )

Fantasy XI