The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) return to their home ground, Chepauk, after four long years. They will confront the Lucknow Super Goliaths (LSG) in IPL 2023 on Monday, April 4. The return of MS Dhoni and co. has been eagerly anticipated by fans, and it promises to be an absolute spectacle.
In any case, not all things have been ruddy for the Super Lords up to this point this season as they were beaten by the Gujarat Titans by five wickets in their initial game. On paper, their death bowling appears to be lacking, and this turned out to be the difference between the two teams.
LSG, then again, made a phenomenal beginning to the competition, dominating their initial match against the Delhi capitals by 50 runs. They will face a difficult challenge in Chepauk because CSK has quality spinners and favorable conditions. However, this encounter is made even more intriguing by the fact that LSG also possesses some high-quality spinners.
In light of this, let’s examine three matchups that have the potential to determine the match’s outcome:
#3 KL Rahul vs Mitchell Santner
LSG captain KL Rahul didn’t have a decent beginning to the IPL 2023 season with the bat as he could score 8(12) in his most memorable game. However, he remembers well his appearance against CSK last year, when he scored 40 runs off 26 deliveries.
Because of Rahul’s excellent record against CSK pacer Deepak Chahar, the hosts must rely on their spinners. In the 44 balls that Mitchell Santner bowled to Rahul in the T20Is, he gave up 63 runs. He has, however, dismissed him once as well.
KL Rahul will want to take advantage of the powerplay, so MS Dhoni might use Santner to slow things down. The Kiwi spinner is a shrewd administrator and with Chennai customarily helping spinners, this could be a fascinating challenge.
#2 Ben Stokes vs Ravi Bishnoi
Ravi Bishnoi has a point to prove this IPL 2023 season because he was omitted from the Indian squad following the 2022 Asia Cup for no apparent reason. The wrist spinner demonstrated his talent in the first match, and he will enjoy bowling at Chepauk because there is always something for spinners to do.
Before this season, Ben Stokes was Chennai’s biggest signing, and big things are expected of him. However, the Super Giants will be eager to unleash Bishnoi as soon as he steps into the crease due to the way he struggled against Rashid Khan. The outcome of this contest will be intriguing.
#1 MS Dhoni vs Jaydev Unadkat
Probably the most anticipated battle for fans is MS Dhoni vs. Jaydev Unadkat. The CSK captain has smashed 105 runs off the 43 balls he has faced off the left-arm pacer in T20 matches against Unadkat.
When Dhoni won the game for CSK last season from an unlikely position where they needed 16 runs off four balls, he stopped the clock.
Unadkat played for the Mumbai Indians at the time, but those scars may still be on him. It will be intriguing to check whether the accomplished bowler gets back into the game or whether Dhoni keeps on overwhelming.