If the IS Bindra stadium in Mohali can accommodate more than 27,000 spectators, the last match between the Kings XI Punjab and the Royals Challengers saw nearly 10,000 more fans waiting with an baited breath for the rain-interrupted match to begin. When the proceedings started after 10.30 PM, they cheered for home team and their favourite stars from RCB at the top of their voices.
If this is the kind of passion and commitment people have for IPL, Saturday’s match between the Kings and the Chennai Super Kings is not going to be different. It is expected to be another full house, rooting for a great game of T20.
For Kings, this match is inconsequential. But for CSK, a win in this game will help them to qualify for the play-off. If that happens, MS Dhoni’s men will be the first team to do so. Incidentally, this is the last league match for both the teams and the last opportunity for CSK to maintain their lead in the points table. This encounter is also a big opportunity for CSK to become one of the top teams in the completion.
With eight wins from 13 matches, CSK clearly have the edge over the Kings, who have only three wins from the same number of games. But in last five games, the Kings have won three of their ties. Last year, the Kings were in great form and won both their league matches against CSK. Then, the Kings were able to knock out CSK in the knock-out stages.
This year, CSK are a top team in the competition and have already beaten the Kings by a record margin in the first leg of the tournament in Chennai (97 runs). Overall record of the CSK is again the better than the Kings. Out of 16 matches that they have played against each other, CSK have won nine of them while the Kings have seven wins under their belt.
However, CSK aren’t getting into the number game. They are also not taking the Kings lightly. They know that the hosts are capable of surprising the best team, like they stunned RCB on Wednesday night. CSK just want to go out there and play their best cricket against the party-pooper Kings.
