It’s a battle royale at Chepauk

By V. Balaji

Chennai, May 9: It's a classic match-up between Kings XI Punjab who are running red hot with five successive wins and Chennai Super Kings who have arrested a slide and are back to winning ways. The Chepauk wicket will, as usual, hold no demons. The two sides fought a good battle at the start of the tournament in Mohali and the return game here should be no different between two evenly matched teams.

Chennai, led by the astute mahendra Singh Dhoni, discovered some potential even during the losing streak and S. Vidyut has been a welcome addition with his free hitting. The return of L. Balaji is a significant step forward for the hosts. His knowledge of local conditions will be a valuable asset. The win over Delhi Daredevils would have instilled some confidence again in the team too.

The format may not call for great tactical acumen. One has to go with the flow. To return to winning ways is an equally difficult proposition as the Super Kings found even in the the Kotla win. Kings XI, who stuttered at the beginning, regrouped well.

"It took some time to gel as a unit. The players have understood their roles better and the results are for everyone to see," said Yuvraj Singh before his team's practice session on Friday. The left-hander added he was beginning to understand the demands of captaincy better with every game and has identified the importance of communication to get the best out of his players.

Kings XI will miss the services of Kumar Sangakkara who sustained an injury in the previous match. Coach Tom Moody said he did not want to risk a key player like Sangakkara as there was a lot of cricket still left in the tournament. If the visitors pull of a win here they will set a record for the most successive wins in IPL.

Asked if he was worried about the streak coming to an end, Moody said: "There is little meaning in what has happened till now. In T20 it is important to sustain momentum and keep doing the right things, what has happened till now will count for nothing in the game tomorrow."

Yuvraj too was forthright with his prediction. "Chennai are a good batting side and we also have our share of all-rounders and batsmen. The bowlers have a crucial role to play as well. It will all depend on who gets off to the better start."

Yuvraj played down the tag of this game being a Dhoni versus Yuvraj clash. "We are not worried about what Dhoni does and it takes 11 to win a match."

The return to form of Irfan Pathan after a poor start and the emergence of Piyush Chawla have been the biggest gains for Mohali. Shaun Marsh has also firmly established himself at the top of the order.In order to upset their calculations Chennai will have to punch above their weight.

The long handle of Albie Morkel has given a fresh lease of hope for the Super Kings. He gives the side the much-needed balance. Vidyut and Stephen Fleming looked in good touch against Delhi and should continue to open.

In Suresh Raina, Dhoni, S. Badrinath and Kapugedera the team has enough firepower to counter one of the better attacks in the tournament. The hosts are not likely to disturb a winning combination.