IPL 2018, CSK vs SRH: 5 players battles to look forward to in Qualifier 1

#4 MS Dhoni v Rashid Khan

MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni has slammed 446 runs in this season’s IPL at an average of 89.20 and a strike rate of 157.20, which has often seen him batting in the fashion that he used to a decade ago. His presence in that middle-order has been absolutely crucial for the sort of carnage CSK have unleashed as a batting side and in tonight’s Qualifier, his battle against the world’s finest T20 bowler is going to be one of the biggest highlights.

The CSK captain’s scoring rate against leg-spin is not that high and that is the sort of duel in which a bowler like Rashid Khan truly enjoys. Although the Afghan has gone wicketless in his previous three games, perhaps it is now time for him to get back into prime wicket-taking form. His range of deliveries, clever changes of lengths and the sheer amount of turn he generates are his strong points. However, if Dhoni can go after him in the middle overs, then the SRH bowling attack’s back would be broken and it would go a long way in ultimately deciding the direction of the game.