Last roll of the dice

20 May, 2009 | KXIP NEWS SERVICE

DURBAN, MAY 19: After a month and 13 games, it all comes down to this.The final two days of the league stages of the IPL can make or break it for five teams. With the Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians out of the running and Delhi Daredevils through to the semi-final, the fight is on for the remaining three places for the weekend knockout.

Fighting for two of these places are Kings XI Punjab and the Chennai Super Kings. After their shocking defeat to KKR on Monday, CSK will be a disappointed lot. They would have been looking to cement their semi-final spot with a game in hand. As it stands, now, they need to win to ensure a semi-final berth. As does KXIP. And history is against KXIP.

Having played CSK four times so far (including the semi-final in 2008), KXIP is yet to beat MS Dhoni’s men. Wednesday would be as good a time as any other to do this! While history is against KXIP, form is certainly on their side. With two hard-fought wins in their last two matches, they are a team high on confidence and keen to win.

Durban has been a mixed bag for KXIP so far. They have lost three and won two matches here, but none of that should have any bearing on what’s coming up. The biggest challenge for both teams will be their bowling. KXIP has the dubious distinction of having given away over 200 runs on this ground two weeks ago.

Then again, CSK failed to defend a huge 188 just two days ago! While the bowling worries will give skippers Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni sleepless nights, the batting is something both teams would feel confident about. CSK – despite the absence of Matthew Hayden – blasted 188 against KKR. KXIP did well to get up to 134 against Deccan Chargers in their last outing. Some would argue the bowlers won that game for KXIP, but it was the batting of Kumar Sangakkara that saw them through.

Team composition will be another critical issue to deal with. KXIP would be loathe to change a winning combination, and will hope that Sunny Sohal get them off to a good start irrespective of whether they are chasing or setting a target. The chunk of the load will be on the middle order to come good. Mahela Jayawardene’s fitness is still under a cloud and KXIP will be hoping against hope that he is fit to play.

For CSK, Matthew Hayden is certain to play. Although George Bailey gave a good account of himself, there just won’t be another place for a foreign player in CSK’s line-up on Wednesday and they would have to persist with Parthiv Patel and hope he comes good. CSK’s batting strength goes deep with Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni following Hayden and with Albie Morkel and Jacob Oram soon after.

Weather shouldn’t play truant and we should get a full 40-over match in Durban. The winner will be assured a semi-final berth while the loser will have to hope other results go in their favour. This is not one for the faint of heart!