Fearless Deccan Chargers take on Chennai Super Kings

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With the points table continuing to be a logjam, Friday’s clash between Chennai Super Kings and Deccan Chargers has gained greater significance.

The visitors are confident after posting a win over Pune Warriors while the same cannot be said about the hosts after their successive losses at home.
Successful campaigns are woven by working parties.

High net individuals don’t count for much and Chennai would be well advised to not depend on a select few.

The reasons behind Chennai’s dwindling success are varied. MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and S. Badrinath have faced 74.5 overs between them but have a combined strike rate of less than 115.

The primary reason has been the lack of strike power with the bat. The bowlers have not been left with enough to play for.

The Chargers, on the other hand, have nothing to lose and can afford to go for broke. It is their position in the points table that makes them a dangerous opposition at this point. Once the fear of failure has gone, the opponents can have it tough.

The bowling combination has started working effectively with Dale Steyn leading from the front. Veer Pratap Singh and Ankit Sharma have played ideal second foil.

On the batting front, Chargers will be pleased with the rhythm of Cameron White and Kumar Sangakkara. The duo after their mauling of Pune the other night will look for an encore.

The firmer-looking track should aid the hard hitting top-order of the former champions led admirably by Shikhar Dhawan.

The inability to provide J.P. Duminy (average of 133) with enough time has been a concern. If the southpaw passes fit for the contest he should definitely bat higher.

The equation is simple from here: try and look to win at least four games out of seven to put themselves in the reckoning for the last four.

For Chennai, the task will be to find the right combination. In all probability they have to sacrifice one all-rounder (between Albie Morkel and Dwayne Bravo) to accommodate Ben Hilfenhaus.

With Dhoni not backing Shadab Jakati to the hilt, it will help the balance more if Ravindra Jadeja can bowl his full quota and in turn find space for a specialist batsman.

There is no point in blaming the pitch and the batsmen will have to gear up if they are to arrest their slide.