Bangalore: After a jittery start, Chennai Super Kings will look for a turnaround to get their campaign back on track when they take on South African team Nashua Dolphins in a Group A match of the Oppo Champions League T20 here on Monday.
Chennai had lost their opening encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders with Andre Russell and Ryan ten Doeschate smashing half centuries for the winners. The two-time IPL champions' top four batsmen - Dwayne Smith, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina and Faf Du Plessiss - failed to make an impression, and they would hope for a better outing.
For any side to register a win, it is necessary for the openers to give a good start, and Smith and McCullum are well aware of it. They would like to make amends by giving a platform for the explosive Raina and the dogged Du Plessis, to score freely, something they could not do against the Knight Riders after Chennai were struggling at 49 for two in 6.4 overs.
Bravo, who missed this IPL season, proved his mettle along with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, stitching together a useful a partnership with knock of 28 and 35 respectively. They would like to carry the momentum against Dolphins.
Ravindra Jadeja, who sat in the dugout throughout the Chennai innings, would be eager to show his all-round prowess by getting some hit in the middle. Not only the batsmen disappointed the Chennai fans, but their bowling too lacked discipline except for seamer Ashish Nehra, who was the wrecker-in-chief with figures of 4 for 21.
The Delhi bowler, who also was on the verge of a hat-trick, would be eager to do a repeat and bring the smile back on Chennai's dugout. He had accounted for the wickets of KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir, Manish Pandey and Manvinder Bisla.
Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja would like to improve upon their bowling after returning with expensive economy rate of 12.50 and 10.33 per over. Their wayward bowling helped Kolkata to turn the tables after they were reeling at five for 51 in nine overs.
On the other hand, Dolphins are a team made of many little-known faces, except for Kyle Abbot and skipper Morne van Wyk. The South African side has players such as Craig Alexander, Cody Chetty, Cameron Delport and Keshav Maharaj, who are not big names in world cricket and they would surely like to leave an impression.
In their defeat in the opening game against Australia's Perth Scorchers on Saturday, the Dolphins had lost half their side for 75 runs by the 11th over. It was only because of Khaya Zondo's effort that Dolphins could post a fighting 164 for seven.
Zondo, who had anchored the Dolphins innings with a well-crafted unbeaten 63 off 50 balls, would like to continue in the same vein. After a disappointing performances from their top order, captain Wyk, Cameron Delport and Cody Chetty would also want to contribute.
With some international experience under his belt for South Africa, seamer Abbott will be key for the Dolphins. If he can bowl economically with the new ball and restrict the Super Kings, the South African side will be in with a good chance.
Squads:
Chennai Super Kings: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Ravichandran Ashwin, Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, John Hastings, Ravindra Jadeja, Brendon McCullum, Mithun Manhas, Pawan Negi, Ashish Nehra, Ishwar Pandey, Suresh Raina, Mohit Sharma, Dwayne Smith Nashua.
Dolphins: Morne van Wyk (capt), Kyle Abbott, Craig Alexander, Cody Chetty, Cameron Delport, Daryn Dupavillon, Robbie Frylinck, Keshav Maharaj, Sibonelo Makhanya, Andile Phehlukwayo, Daryn Smit, Prenelan Subrayen, Jonathan Vandiar, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Khaya Zondo.
