IPL match preview: Chennai Super Kings v Lucknow Super Giants
The Super Kings' pursuit of a fifth IPL title did not enjoy a solid start after defeat to the Gujarat Titans. They have a chance to get off the mark at a venue that has suited them very well in the past.
Ravindra Jadeja.Chennai, indeed, have won a resounding 40 of their 56 matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk. That's a dominant record the Lucknow Super Giants will find tough to crack on Monday.
The Super Kings will be the first to admit they need more from their batters. There were a few starts, but several middle-order men failed to convert against the Titans, leaving Ruturaj Gaikwad to play a lone hand.
For Lucknow, this is a big opportunity to build on last week's win over the Delhi Capitals. They set an early precedent, which will still require fine-tuning against opposition that have won the tournament four times.
Quinton de Kock has wrapped up the Proteas' ODI series against Netherlands, but won't likely arrive in India in time for this match. West Indian Nicholas Pooran, therefore, should retain the wicketkeeping role.
While Lucknow have some excellent stars from overseas, there should be a quiet confidence in their local talent, including leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, Deepak Hooda and - of course - captain KL Rahul at the top of the order.
Lucknow and Chennai met only once in the 2022 IPL, when the Super Kings won by six wickets. They batted second and won with three deliveries to spare. It's probable the side that bats second in this match will win, too.
England fast bowler Mark Wood was outstanding on debut for the Super Giants recently. He claimed figures of five for 14 against the Capitals. Conditions in Chepauk will likely prove more testing than those in Lucknow.
Until de Kock is ready, West Indian all-rounder Kyle Mayers will probably continue to open the batting for Lucknow. The man from the Caribbean also offers something with the ball - maybe even the new ball - with some clever variations in pace.
Deepak Chahar's role comes into the spotlight again. He has just returned from a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to injury and went without a wicket in defeat to the Titans last week. He will need conditions in Chepauk to offer swing and seam to succeed.
Meanwhile, England all-rounder Ben Stokes should continue as a specialist batsman. Chennai could do well to push him up the order, though, rather than bat him at four as they did against Gujarat.
One fancies the Chennai Super Kings to bounce back here. They were promising against the defending champions, but didn't have quite enough in them to get over the line. Chepauk is a veritable fortress, which Lucknow are going to struggle to penetrate.