IPL 2021: CSK vs SRH – Game Plan 1 – Can Jonny Bairstow halt CSK’s winning run?

The 23rd match of the IPL 2021 tournament will witness Chennai Super Kings taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. The contest between the two former champions could all be about match-ups. We take a look at a key game plan that could play an important role in the 23rd game of the […]
 
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IPL 2021: CSK vs SRH – Game Plan 1 – Can Jonny Bairstow halt CSK’s winning run?

The 23rd match of the IPL 2021 tournament will witness Chennai Super Kings taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. The contest between the two former champions could all be about match-ups. We take a look at a key game plan that could play an important role in the 23rd game of the IPL 2021 – CSK vs SRH. 

CSK vs SRH: SRH needs Jonny Bairstow’s madness to continue 

Jonny Bairstow, one of the best white ball batters in the world, has decimated bowling attacks with his sheer skills and incredible intent. He has elevated his game this IPL even more with his audacious stroke-making. The Chepauk Stadium has been a nightmare for batters in this edition with the ball spinning square and stopping. Bairstow’s numbers in the Chepauk leg have been simply outrageous. Bairstow has averaged 52.75 and has struck at a crazy rate of 141.6. Only Maxwell had better numbers at the venue and he played two less games than Bairstow. 

IPL 2021: CSK vs SRH – Game Plan 1 – Can Jonny Bairstow halt CSK’s winning run?

The biggest threat Bairstow possesses for any opposition is his ability to go bonkers in the power-play and kill the game as early as possible. After being promoted to the top of the order after the first two games, Bairstow has unleashed his fury in the first six overs. As you can see in the above graphic, the SRH batter has struck at 176.1 and has only been dismissed once in the power-play. 

SRH will be facing a rampant CSK side at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi – a venue that’s quite similar to the Chepauk but with shorter boundaries. A type of venue CSK have mastered the art of playing on. Jonny Bairstow will have his work cut out against a team which has two potential threats for him in Deepak Chahar and Ravindra Jadeja. 

IPL 2021: CSK vs SRH – Game Plan 1 – Can Jonny Bairstow halt CSK’s winning run?

SRH will need Bairstow at his absolute best if they are to beat the Super Kings. His struggles against the moving ball, especially the incoming deliveries are well documented. Chennai’s new ball specialist, Deepak Chahar has found his rhythm back and has picked wickets in the power-play consistently. Chahar has picked 7 wickets in the power-play so far at an economy of 7.08, taking a wicket in every 10.3 balls. The showdown between these two players could be match-defining if there’s any movement on offer in the first few overs. 

IPL 2021: CSK vs SRH – Game Plan 1 – Can Jonny Bairstow halt CSK’s winning run?

CSK all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja becomes a vicious bowler if the pitch offers the slightest of spin. Jadeja has changed the complexion of the match with the ball in hand on two occasions this season, against RR and RCB. He has dismissed the likes of Buttler, Maxwell and AB de Villiers. The venue in Delhi is known for it’s slow and spin-friendly tracks. 

In these conditions, Bairstow – who is a naturally aggressive batter vs Jadeja could be a mouth-watering contest. Jadeja has done well against Bairstow in T20s, conceding at less than run-a-ball and dismissing him once. However, Jadeja hasn’t bowled a single over in the power-play since 2020 which lands in favour of Bairstow. 

Apart from Chahar and Jadeja, the SRH batter has favourable matchups against other CSK bowlers. Assuming there will be no movement on offer at Delhi’s abrasive surface and Dhoni’s reluctance to use Jadeja in the power-play, Jonny Bairstow could find a decent window to cause mayhem.