IPL 2nd Semi: Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore

[naresh091]

On current form Ntini would be a massive risk. Got smashed in the limited overs stuff for SA vs aus. Would be a massive risk playing him in this game.

Yup.While the top order looks good, what we urgently need is a backup plan to stem a collapse if there be one, and take the team to a good score. The likely answer to this is Mike Hussey - someone who can attack and build an innings with equal levels of competence - replacing Jacob Oram, who hasn't looked in good nick at all.Hope Dhoni doesnt falter with the team composition this time.

 

[SaiSrini]

My pulses have started to race in expectation of this match. Anything less than a victory for CSK would be heart breaking. But we have great competition from a tough opponent. That makes things a lot more interesting. Its also a case of which city is best - Chennai or Bangalore? Tomorrow, I will be having this fight with Bangalore fans (in other forums) about the rivalry btw the cities

We are the best of the South. We have to win it tomorrow!

 

[SciD]

Guys who won 6 off last 8 games will win.

 

[vickyrox]

i agree with scid

 

[SaiSrini]

Guys who won 6 off last 8 games will win.

And thats Chennai (not sure if Bangalore have the same record). But Chennai have a 6-2 record in their last 8 games (starting from the game against Delhi on May 2).

 

[aussie1st]

CSK should win this on paper but they aren't always won on paper. With Hussey back CSK won't rely on Hayden to make a big score. Then it will be down to their bowlers to perform.

 

[ZexyZahid]

Everybody is expecting Chennai to go through. It would be funny if the teams, who were last and second last in previous year, go on to the final.

Bangalore's primary goal will be to get Hayden out as quickly as possible. I wonder if Chennai will again start with Parthiv Patel.

 

[Howsie]

Royal Challengers will win this game, Hayden hasn't played in a few days and will make less then 10.

Dravid has to bat at three, and Taylor has to be at four.

 

[naresh091]

I guess Jakati will replace Ashwin today,as all the XI players of RCB are right hand batsmen and from what Dhoni said during the last match's toss (he said Ashwin was selected based on the number of left handed batsmen in KXIP) Jakati will replace Ashwin.But this is just a wild guess.Lets see.Both are quality spinners anyway.

 

[nz0003]

Bangalore should win this.

Hopefully Ryder gets a gig, because hes a star.

Ross Taylor to ton up.

 

[Sartaj]

you didn't mention the probables mate.i really want to see jesse ryder get in to the side in the place of either the injured kallis or the so far mediocre mark boucher.but,i don't think that will happen as kallis is a gutsy warrior and will not back down from any challenge!!
poor jesse.
speaking of chennai,i think they are going to drop oram.because he has been pathetic with the bat to be honest and since,dhoni is using him as a batsman only,i want some proper batsman say bailey replace big jake.

 

[ZexyZahid]

Here are the predicted line-ups:

Team news

Hayden will definitely return at Bailey's expense but what Chennai could well do is draft in Hussey, who has joined the squad for the last part of the IPL. He could well slot in for Oram, who hasn't scored runs or taken wickets. Morkel missed the last game and should come back, meaning Thilan Thushara will go back to warming the bench. Ashwin's excellent figures against Punjab mean he will keep Jakati out as well, but it remains to be seen if Chennai revert to L Balaji - who hasn't been successful in the last couple of games - or give Joginder Sharma another shot.

Chennai Super Kings: 1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Parthiv Patel, 3 Suresh Raina, 4 S Badrinath, 5 MS Dhoni (capt/wk), 6 Jacob Oram/Michael Hussey, 7 Albie Morkel, 8 R Ashwin, 9 L Balaji, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 Manpreet Gony.

Bangalore confidently fielded an unchanged side for the last two games, and won both. No chances foreseen here. Kallis hobbled off the field after bowling one over last game but didn't look perturbed about missing this one.

Bangalore Royal Challengers: 1 Manish Pandey, 2 Jacques Kallis, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 Robin Uthappa, 5 Ross Taylor, 6 Virat Kohli, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Roelof van der Merwe, 9 Praveen Kumar, 10 B Akhil, 11 Anil Kumble (capt).

Cricinfo - Southern stars vie for shot at top spot

 

[leftarmlegspin]

Giving Joginder Sharma another chance now would be silly. You have to stick with Balaji.

 

[SaiSrini]

What I am worried about from that predicted lineup posted by Cricinfo is Manpreet Gony. He has been a huge flop this year and his fielding has been absolutely pathetic. Instead, we can go with Tyagi who has been better this year than Gony.

Joginder? Why? To just bowl the last over of the game? NO WAY! His shot to fame has been those two last overs bowled in the previous T20 World Cup. Apart from that, he is useless.

Come on Chennai! Atleast one of the two best teams of the competition should enter the final. Dhoni - carry us forward please!:upray:upray

 

[chaitanyaraghav]

I would count on chennai to win the match but expect the RC to give a stiff competetion!
So fingers crossed.