Chennai Super Kings face Kings XI Punjab in the second game of the doubleheader on Sunday, October 4. CSK are coming into this game on the back of three losses in their previous three games. Kings XI Punjab are also on a two-match losing streak heading into this match.

With both teams looking to make a progress to the top four of the points table, the Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab comes as a mouth-watering prospect on in Dubai where all the matches have been won by the teams batting first. More about the CSK vs KXIP Match Preview below.

Chennai Super Kings have now failed to chase down the given targets in the three matches that they have lost. Shane Watson’s loss of form, Kedar Jadhav’s form with the bat and a panting MS Dhoni were not good pictures to remember from the last game.

Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab: Battle For Survival

Heading into this game, however, the CSK think tank needs to make some hard call and identify personnel who can win them games. Suresh Raina’s absence in the playing XI is being felt in every game, with no one putting their hand up.

Harbhajan Singh’s experience with the ball is missing as well. Interestingly, CSK has the lowest average inside the powerplay among all the teams in this IPL so far, which replicates their performance with the bat so far. The return of Dwayne Bravo did not have its effect on the game as Chennai Super Kings gave away runs in the death overs, with Sunrisers posting 165 at the end, which proved enough at the end.

MS Dhoni’s batting position has been another constant debate in the CSK camp. With their backs against the wall, CSK and skipper MS Dhoni are looking for a turnaround.

Also Read: IPL 2020: Match 18 – Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings: 5 Key Players To Watch Out For

Kings XI Punjab too have their own share of problems to handle. They have been over-reliant on their openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal scoring the runs for them, the middle-order despite having the talent has not translated it into performance. Glenn Maxwell and Karun Nair now need to come good and play substantial innings for their side. The big-hitting Australian needs to do justice to his price tag and not play on his reputation.

Kings XI Punjab as a bowling group has been the best inside the powerplay in IPL 2020. However, they have leaked runs in the back end and plenty of them as well. They are in search of death over specialist and possibly will look towards Chris Jordan to do the role for them.

While the bowling has been leaking runs in the final five for Punjab, their batting has failed to maximise in the death overs. In a team where you have two players in the top-five run-getters and a bowler among the top wicket-takers, Kings XI Punjab would like to come up with a better performance.

Head to Head- Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab

Out of the 22 games played so far between the two teams, CSK has won 13, while KXIP nine. In the last five meetings between the two teams, Chennai Super Kings lead the match-up 3-2. This is the first time that these two teams will play each other in IPL 2020.

Pitch & Weather Conditions

The weather will be hot and humid with dew playing a key role in the outcome of the contest. Chasing has been preferred by captains at this venue and the norm is expected to be maintained in yet another game.

However, as the stats say, two out of the 16 games so far have been won by the teams batting second in all IPL 2020. Importantly, all seven matches in Dubai has been won by the team batting first.

Team News

For Punjab, they are looking for someone to take responsibility in the death overs for which Chris Jordan might replace Jimmy Neesham in the XI. Given CSK’s nature to back their players even when they are underperforming, we can expect an unchanged side for the Yellow Army heading into this Chenna Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab contest.

Also Read: IPL 2020: CSK CEO Confirms KM Asif Did Not Break Bio-Secure Bubble

Squads

Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni (C/WK)Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Piyush Chawla, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Murali Vijay, Karn Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi, Monu Kumar, Mitchell Santner, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, N Jagadeesan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KM Asif

Kings XI Punjab

KL Rahul(C/WK), Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, James Neesham, Sarfaraz Khan, Krishnappa Gowtham, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Sheldon Cottrell, Deepak Hooda, Hardus Viljoen, Jagadeesha Suchith, Ishan Porel, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Tajinder Singh, Darshan Nalkande, Arshdeep Singh, Simran Singh, Harpreet Brar, Murugan Ashwin, Chris Jordan, Mandeep Singh, Chris Gayle