CSK, SRH Eye Vital Win to Boost Qualification Hopes

Two wins in their final two games will ensure CSK finish the group stages with 16 points, firmly putting them in playoff contention. CSK would have gladly seized this opportunity six weeks ago after losing their first three games. Since then, favourable results have kept them alive despite ongoing injuries.

The five-time champions could have been in a much better position had they beaten LSG in the previous game. Spencer Johnson's addition gives the bowling group more bite against SRH's intimidating top four.

The focus remains on the batting lineup, with CSK desperately needing runs from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Dewald Brevis. Kartik Sharma has shown promise after an erratic start.

SRH's graph has been similar — they lost three of their first four games. Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen have done the heavy lifting. SRH's last outing in Ahmedabad was a shocker, bundled out for just 86.

When: CSK vs SRH, May 18 at 7:30 PM

Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

What to expect: No rain threat expected. Surface used against Mumbai Indians.

Head-to-head: CSK 15 – 8 SRH

Injuries/Unavailabilities: Most players skipped practice. MS Dhoni had a hit in the nets. Interest in whether CSK throw in Dian Forrester to bolster the lower order.

Tactics & Matchups: Mukesh Choudhary has dismissed Ishan Kishan thrice in just 7 balls.

Probable XII: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Dian Forrester/MS Dhoni, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary

Injuries/Unavailabilities: No new injuries in SRH camp. Aniket Verma could return to strengthen batting.

Tactics & Matchups: Pat Cummins has favourable matchups against Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube. SRH may move Klaasen back to No.4 to counter Noor Ahmad.

Probable XII: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (wk), Smaran Ravichandran, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Salil Arora/Aniket Verma, Pat Cummins (c), Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga, Sakib Hussain, Praful Hinge

• SRH dropped 24 catches — the most by any side — with 72.7% catching efficiency, second-worst this season.
• CSK's opening stand has the lowest run-rate (8.84) and second-worst average (25.54).
• Heinrich Klaasen is the 5th player in IPL history to go past 500 runs while batting at No.4 or lower.

Spencer Johnson: "Jamie (Overton) was unbelievable… bowling that sort of back of the length heavy ball… that's what I wanted to do when I came in."