Chennai Super Kings have already qualified for the play-offs and the franchise has a strong chance of making it in the top two even if they lose their last league match. But Dhoni and company will want to guarantee their entry into the top two in style by winning their clash against KXIP.
On the other hand, KXIP have had another disappointing IPL season despite some high-quality individual performances. With the road to play-offs closed, the franchise will atleast want to avoid the number eight finish in the points table.
With theĀ international stars making the news for returning to their countries for preparing for the World Cup, CSK has made the news for releasingĀ N Jagadeesan for his club game (Vijay CC).
However the questions are on the availability of MS Dhoni and it will be interesting to see how the management handles his fitness issues and workload.
Suresh Raina scored a fine fifty the other night to get back in form but the form of other middle-order batsmen is a worry for CSK. Their bowling has been top-class though.
Gayle and Rahul have carried KXIP in IPL 2019 but the lack of support from the middle order has hurt them. The pace bowling has been wayward too.
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A fine innings of 59 runs has enabled Suresh Raina to get his mojo back in IPL 2019. However he still averages a mere 25.50 in this season of IPL and the contest against KXIP is a good opportunity for him to better his numbers.
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With an average of 52.20 and a strike rate of 129.85, KL Rahul has had a sensational IPL 2019. He has accumulated 522 runs in 13 innings so far. How many more can he add to his tally in the last league game?