IPL 2020: KKR vs CSK – Game Plan 2 – Chennai’s Middle Overs Woes with the ball

KKR vs CSK – The twenty-first match of the IPL 2020 tournament between the teams, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, could all be about match-ups. We take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the twenty-first game of the IPL – KKR vs CSK

KKR vs CSK – The middle overs tussle

Chennai Super Kings are a team known for their quality spinners who more often than not strangle the opposition in middle overs. From 2018, till the start of this season, they conceded 7.31 runs per over, the lowest among all teams in the given period. They also picked a wicket every 26.79 runs in overs 7-15 in the last couple of seasons. This tight period in the middle overs is what made CSK control the game. How have they performed in this period this season?

CSK have clearly failed to keep the opposition in control in the middle overs this season, considering 1.91 runs per over more than they did in the last couple of seasons. They have also conceded 5.13 runs per dismissal this season more than they did in 2018 and 2019. The only game where they pulled things back in middle overs was against Sunrisers Hyderabad, removing which they have conceded 9.92 runs per over in the other four games.

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The growing need for an attacking spinner is inevitable for CSK, more so with someone like Imran Tahir warming the bench. Moreover, the Proteas wrist spinner has impressive numbers against the current crop of KKR batsmen.

Tahir has been able to get the better of almost every single one of the KKR batsmen and has also been one of the bowlers who has managed to keep Andre Russell quiet. For CSK to get back their magic in the middle overs, they certainly need the experienced Tahir in their XI, or they need to make sure the former KKR spinner Piyush Chawla steps up to the occasion and provide crucial breakthroughs.

KKR, with a perfect mix of left and right-handers in their batting lineup, have the ideal batting unit to put the men in yellow in trouble yet again.