IPL 6: Chennai Super Kings face Sunrisers Hyderabad today

 

Enjoying an unbeaten home run, SunRisers Hyderabad face a stiff challenge against former champions and table-toppers Chennai Super Kings in a Pepsi Indian Premier League match in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

SunRisers have 14 points from 11 matches and a win on Wednesday would take them closer to a berth in the play-offs.

The Chennai Super Kings, who have won the title twice before, are at the top of the points table despite a humiliating defeat at the hands of Mumbai Indians in their previous match.

After winning a record-equalling seven matches in a row, CSK endured a miserable outing in Mumbai where Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men were sent packing for a paltry 79, the season's lowest team total.

It came as a wake-up call for CSK, who would be expected to bounce back immediately given the presence of high-profile and in-form players in their ranks.

Dhoni, in fact, expressed happiness that the defeat came during the round robin stage. "I think it was a good wake-up call for us. With a few more games to go, we got it at the right time," Dhoni said.

Chennai's batting line-up comprising Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina and Dhoni himself is the envy of other IPL teams.

In the bowling department, CSK boast of Albie Morkel, Mohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Chris Morris and Dwayne Bravo. All of them have done their bit and would be quite a handful for the Sun-Risers batsmen.

However, SunRisers have also been impressive, especially at home. With their collective effort, they clinched thrilling wins against formidable teams such as Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

SunRisers, undoubtedly, have the best bowling attack in the form of world's top bowler Dale Steyn, Ishant Sharma and Amit Mishra, who is one of the highest wicket-takers in IPL-6. The in-form Karan Sharma has also added to the bowling strength.

Batting had been a major area of concern for the Hyderabad side, but that has also shown marked improvement after injured Shikhar Dhawan and West Indies Captain Darren Sammy joined the ranks and struck form immediately.

Sri Lanka's Thisara Perera has been quite useful with ball and bat and local batsman Hanuma Vihari has chipped in with some good contributions.