IPL 2020: KXIP vs CSK Game Plan 1 – Should Chris Gayle play?
The eighteenth match of the IPL 2020 tournament between the blockbuster teams, Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings, could all be about match-ups. Here, we take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the eighteenth game of IPL 2020 – KXIP vs CSK.
During the toss against RCB, KL Rahul, the KXIP skipper, said, “Chris Gayle will come in at the right time, don’t worry about it.” This certainly meant KXIP want to use Gayle in their playing XI at some point in time. So, this match could be that time – today, against CSK.
All of KXIP matches so far – vs DC, RCB, RR and MI – were not the perfect oppositions for Gayle. All of the oppositions have bowlers who could trouble Gayle because of their express pace – at least at this stage of Gayle’s career, and DC & RCB have an off-spinner as well. CSK have neither.
Also Read: IPL 2020, Match 18: KXIP vs CSK MyTeam11 Fantasy Cricket Prediction, Team, Playing XI and Tips
In his last four innings against CSK since 2018, Gayle failed in three. Harbhajan Singh, the off-spinner, picked up Gayle’s wicket in two innings while Ngidi once. Harbhajan Singh is absent. Ngidi is unlikely to play and he used to operate at high speeds in 2018, now, not enough. Thus, Gayle’s chances of succeeding significantly increase against CSK.
As known, Gayle is a beast when set, especially after the powerplay. In the middle overs (7-16) since 2018, Gayle has been averaging 41 and has a strike rate of over 157. Against leg-spinners in the phase, the Universe Boss averages 132 and has a strike rate of 224. These numbers are mind-boggling at this stage of his career. Gayle is magnificient against left-arm orthodox spinners as well, however, the sample size is very small in this phase.
However, Gayle’s inclusion will mean that Mayank Agarwal will be pushed to No. 3. Surely, if Gayle fires, he is capable of taking away the game single-handedly away from the opposition. However, Mayank Agarwal is the leading run-scorer in this edition of the IPL so far. Averaging 61.50 in four innings, the opener has amassed 246 runs with a strike rate of about 166. So, is it worth to push him down?
In IPL 2019, Agarwal did a decent job at No. 3. Batting in 12 innings at No. 3, Agarwal averaged about 27 and had a strike rate of 143. A No. 3 is generally expected to arrive in the middle-overs, and, thus, the No. 3 batsman should be quite good against spinners. Since 2019, Agarwal has been averaging 31 (38 excluding run outs) and has a strike rate of over 163 in the middle overs (7-16).
CSK are expected to have two spinners – Piyush Chawla and Ravindra Jadeja – in their playing XI. Both turn the ball away from right-handers. Agarwal, while batting at No. 3, got out against such bowlers on five instances in IPL 2019. However, Agarwal is a very good player of spin and those wickets might be a result of his attacking nature. Overall his numbers against the mentioned bowling types are quite good, albeit a low sample size against SLA bowlers.
Chawla, the leg-spinner, is unlikely to trouble Agarwal; and Tahir doesn’t seem to be in CSK’s plans as of now. Agarwal is not very secure against express pacers, and CSK don’t have any!
Gayle’s – if he comes in the playing XI – is likely to replace James Neesham. And, Karun Nair might not play as Agarwal will be pushed to No. 3, in case Gayle plays. The big issue for KXIP is if Gayle fires, it will be unfair to drop him, so it is likely to break the Rahul-Mayank combo for long. And, if KXIP continue to bring in Gayle according to oppositions, it might affect the clarity and stability in the role of Mayank. Thus, KXIP should ensure that Mayank’s role is well defined and the lad gets a stability.
The inclusion of Gayle will also help Rahul in donning the aggressive mode in the powerplay. Rahul has been starting slowly against pacers in the powerplay which is not good for KXIP as well as Rahul himself.