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IPL 2020, SRH vs CSK: MS Dhoni threat looms large for Sunrisers Hyderabad

IPL 2020: MS Dhoni will not be the favourite to win a game for Chennai Super Kings at this point, but if his numbers against Sunrisers Hyderabad are to be taken into consideration, tonight could be the night when the CSK skipper gets some runs.

Updated on: Oct 13, 2020, 14:50:00 IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
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With just 112 runs from seven matches, IPL 2020 hasn’t been the best of seasons for MS Dhoni. The Chennai Super Kings captain, despite showing shades of his former self, has mostly struggled to get going, failing to finish matches for his team and getting bogged down by an average strike-rate.

IPL 2020: MS Dhoni attempts to play the pull shot. (PTI)
IPL 2020: MS Dhoni attempts to play the pull shot. (PTI)

Also Read | IPL 2020 Full Coverage

With scores such as 29, 15, 11, 10 and 47* (his best, against Rajasthan Royals), Dhoni will not be the favourite to win a game for his team at this point, but if his numbers against Sunrisers Hyderabad are to be taken into consideration, tonight could be the night when the CSK skipper gets some runs.

Also Read | Brad Hogg suggests radical changes for CSK ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad clash

Dhoni’s average this year reads 37.33, but it shoots up to 63.14 when playing against SRH. Dhoni’s average is his best against any team that is currently playing the IPL. From 16 matches, Dhoni has scored 442 runs against SRH with four half-centuries, including a best score of 67 not out and on Tuesday in Dubai, he could become the fifth to score 450-plus runs against the Sunrisers.

Also Read | ‘At this age, people don’t have that much agility left,’ Syed Kirmani feels age and long sabbatical has impacted MS Dhoni’s performance

Dhoni’s battle with Rashid Khan also promises to make for an interesting duel. In the IPL, Dhoni hasn’t had the most success against leg-spinners, but from the 32 balls faced from Rashid, he has scored 23 runs. Against CSK, Rashid has picked up six wickets from seven matches with a best of 2/11.

Also Read | CSK predicted XI vs SRH: Dhoni likely to rely upon same XI

Dhoni is also on the verge of a batting milestone. The CSK skipper is 30 runs away from completing 4000 runs for the franchise. Provided he gets there, Dhoni will join Suresh Raina as only the second player to get to the 4K-run mark.

Also Read | SRH vs CSK Preview: Litmus test for Dhoni’s team, Sunrisers hope for a better finish

Like Dhoni, SRH will also be wary of Ambati Rayudu, as his average of 45.50 is his best against all current franchises in the IPL. Rayudu is 49 runs away from completing 3500 IPL runs and CSK will be expecting two of the premier batsmen to get the job done if they are to stay alive in the tournament.

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