IPL 2024: Predicting 3 players who could pick up the most wickets in today's CSK vs SRH match

Sunday's Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs. SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) IPL 2024 match at Chepauk is set to be a blockbuster. These are two teams that have historically relied on their bowling prowess and variety to win matches.

However, this season, SRH are the most feared batting side in the competition, which is quite true to the conditions. It has worked in most games — five wins from eight — but fell short against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Thursday.

Meanwhile, CSK have also managed to get some points but are yet to win any matches away from home. They are coming off their first loss at Chepauk to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). It won't be a surprise if they try to bounce back by creating a rank-turner to greet SRH's big hitters tonight.

Below, we have considered all these factors and more to predict three bowlers who could come out with the most wickets.

#3 Ravindra Jadeja

It's hard to keep Ravindra Jadeja out of contention for wickets at Chepauk despite his underwhelming form in IPL 2024. The last time the pitch here offered substantial turn for the spinners was when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) paid a visit and Jadeja roared with three wickets in a match-winning spell.

He has 33 wickets in 46 matches here at 24.55, which is among his best bowling averages against any opponent in the IPL. He'd need help from CSK's new-ball bowlers in removing the left-hander pair of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma first. Once that's done, Jadeja won't mind match-ups against Aiden Markram, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abdul Samad, and even Heinrich Klaasen in the middle-order.

#2 T Natarajan

SRH's all-season quick T Natarajan has been brilliant in IPL 2024 despite his bouts with injury. He has 12 wickets in six matches and is yet to go wicketless in any game. Six of these wickets have come in the last two matches.

The Chepauk's conditions should suit him, just like they did for Mustafizur Rahman early in the season. Even if they don't, Natarajan can make things happen with his pace, control of length, and ability to nail the yorkers. He has never gone wicketless against CSK in the IPL, boasting nine wickets in five matches at an average of 21.67. SRH would back him to add more to the tally.

#1 Matheesha Pathirana

CSK's game changer in matches won and the silver lining in matches lost, Matheesha Pathirana has to be on this list. His ability to take on the opposition's best batters is exactly what CSK need against Klaasen and company on Sunday.

Like Natarajan, Pathirana is yet to go wicketless in an IPL 2024 match and has 11 scalps from just five matches. Chepauk is one of his favorite venues in the IPL — 13 wickets at 17.69. He's coming off a difficult game against LSG but if the pitch is slow this time, Pathirana would shine in a low-scoring thriller.

If CSK have to win this game, it'd require a massive contribution from their ace overseas pacer.