Dew likely to shape CSK-Sunrisers clash
Match facts
September 26, 2013Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)
Big Picture
Both Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad are coming off successful chases in their opening games. Super Kings made a chase of 186 look ridiculously easy in Ranchi, with Titans failing to control a rampaging top order with heavy dew around. The wet ball was a big factor and will continue to be so since the forthcoming game between Super Kings and Sunrisers begins late in the evening. Chasing might not be a bad idea and as allrounder Albie Morkel said on the eve of the game, the toss will be a big factor.Sunrisers' chase against Trinidad and Tobago wasn't as clinical, since it went down to the final over. Shikhar Dhawan played only a minor role though it was good from Sunrisers' perspective that the lower order proved themselves when a challenge presented itself. Thisara Perera's fearless hitting made the difference and Super Kings would have to strategise how to contain the big hitters like Perera and Darren Sammy. However, Sunrisers weren't their sharpest in the field on Tuesday and that's an area they need to improve on.
Super Kings will be concerned that their bowlers leaked 185. They have relied on spinners to pull the run-rate back but against Titans, seven overs of spin cost them 85 runs.
In the spotlight
Dwayne Bravo's cameo 38 off 26 balls helped Super Kings edge closer to victory against Titans and he picked up two wickets as well as Titans looked to accelerate towards the end. However, he has struggled as a death bowler in recent one-dayers for West Indies, something he had admitted needed plenty of improvement. His first two overs against Titans went for 23, but he came back well in his next two, conceding 11 and taking those two wickets. He could use the ongoing T20s to sharpen his death-bowling skills.Sunrisers' younger Indian batsmen have yet to shine in this tournament, starting from the qualifiers. Biplab Samantray, batting in the top order, was dropped after scores of 0 and 8; Hanuma Vihari made a cautious 18-ball 13 against T&T, and in the same match Ashish Reddy was out for a first-ball duck. Teams that aren't overdependent on overseas players and bigger names tend to be more successful than others. If the younger players can click, it could help Sunrisers in a big way.
Quotes
"This is probably the most dew I've seen on a cricket field."Chennai Super Kings allrounder Albie Morkel on the conditions in Ranchi after the game against Titans
Kanishkaa Balachandran is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo