SRH vs CSK: Dhoni presence adds excitement in Hyderabad

Excitement grips Hyderabad as CSK face SRH, with MS Dhoni’s presence drawing huge fan interest. While CSK aim to continue their winning run, Sunrisers look to build on their recent victory in what promises to be a high-energy contest

Hyderabad: This will be a different match altogether! Not just another IPL league match featuring five-time champions Chennai Super Kings and former champions Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Saturday night.

For, the city seems vibrant, with fans bursting to the seams with excitement with the arrival of the legend MS Dhoni. The way he walked out of the Hyderabad airport on Thursday had thousands falling over each other to get a glimpse of arguably one of the most inspirational cricketers of this century.

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So, when the two teams clash, the fans should not be faulted if loyalties are split. Even the die-hard fans of Sunrisers may not feel disappointed if there is a Dhoni special round the corner. Well, such is the stardom of the former India captain that even if he walks out to face a few balls in the slog overs, that should be enough to raise the decibel levels in the stands. That is exactly what the fans want – to see Dhoni on the field.

The fact that Dhoni has travelled with CSK for the first time this season has only heightened expectations as the biggest crowd-puller is still capable of producing a decisive cameo.

From the teams’ perspective, it is obvious that CSK has been on the comeback trail after a dismal start to its campaign this season, winning the last two games and hoping to continue its momentum on Saturday.

The welcome return to form of opener and World Cup star performer Sanju Samson has provided the much-needed boost to the CSK batting line-up. The presence of big-hitter Dewald Brevis, along with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, in-form Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dube, is expected to provide the required impetus to the scoring rate, whether chasing or setting a target.

In bowling, the pace duo of Jamie Overton and Anshul Kamboj, along with spinners Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmed, are expected to strike at regular intervals.

On the other hand, Sunrisers too are back to winning ways with an emphatic show against Rajasthan Royals at home.

The big guns at the top – Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan – have to fire again to set the tempo for the others who follow.

What was the biggest positive from the previous game’s win was the stand-out performance of debutant pace duo Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, backed by the effective spin duo of Shivang Kumar and Harsh Dubey.

No doubt, it will be yet another serious test of the skill sets of the bowling attacks of both teams, even as the debate will centre around whether Dhoni will play on Saturday.