CSK vs SRH, IPL 2024: Records and Stats at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

As they head into match no. 46 of IPL 2024, both Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will want to shake off their respective shock losses and get back to winning ways. CSK especially will be gunning for revenge after being "silenced" by Pat Cummins and Co. at Hyderabad. SRH are third on the points table while CSK are in sixth.

CSK's latest match, which was also at Chepauk saw a very strong batting performance from CSK with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad scoring a century and a blitzkrieg from Shivam Dube pushed CSK to 210. CSK also had LSG lose two wickets in the powerplay and then, Marcus Stoinis blindsided everyone with the highest individual score while chasing in the IPL to pull off the highest successful chase at Chennai in the IPL. 

SRH's last match was at Hyderabad against RCB where fifties by Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli followed by a cameo from Cameron Green pushed RCB to 206. SRH's batting imploded upon itself as a team bowling effort from RCB led by Swapnil Singh and Karn Sharma led SRH to a shock 35-run loss. 

In the reverse fixture at Hyderabad, CSK's batting never got going with Shivam Dube making the only high-impact contribution and managing only 165. Abhishek Sharma went very hard at the small target in the powerplay, and in fact was awarded Player of the Match for his 37(12) despite a fifty from Aiden Markram.

MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch Report:

Chepauk has been uncharacteristically flat and that has led to some high totals amid objections from none other than CSK Head Coach Stephen Fleming. This stadium has always been known for its help to spinners, but CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad seemed to indicate that the presence of dew was impacting their decision to hold their spinners back in the last match. Everything points towards Chepauk being a flat surface once again. 

IPL Stats & Records at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

No matches have finished in a no result and only 33 matches out of 80 have been won chasing at this ground. The average first innings total is 165. 

CSK vs SRH Strategies & Match-ups:

The Chennai pitch will present a flat surface where chasing seems to be the easier option. But a surface as flat as Chennai provides SRH with another perfect opportunity to go beyond their record score of 287. And even if they are chasing, SRH will still find an opportunity to finish the match early. Stopping SRH's batters early is the key to CSK's chances. The important match-ups for this clash are: Moeen Ali vs Travis Head, Deepak Chahar vs Abhishek Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja vs Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins vs Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mayank Markande vs Shivam Dube, T Natarajan vs MS Dhoni. 

Player Battles to Watch Out For in CSK vs SRH:

Abhishek Sharma vs Deepak Chahar:

Chahar has bowled only 8 balls to Sharma in the IPL but has managed to dismiss him twice in this time. In this time, Sharma has scored 16 runs at an average of 8 and a strike rate of 200. If Chahar can remove Sharma early again, then CSK can have a foot in the door. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad vs T Natarajan:

Natarajan has been probably the most consistent SRH bowler in this year's IPL. His battle against the CSK skipper has been short, but productive. In 17 balls, Gaikwad has scored 27 runs at a strike rate of 158.82 but has been dismissed twice with an average of 13.5. 

X-Factors for CSK vs SRH:

Chennai Super Kings:

Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad's newfound form will bode well for CSK considering how much Shivam Dube had to be the one to prop their batting up in the last few matches. Gaikwad will use the confidence from his century against LSG as a confidence booster on a similarly flat surface as well. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad:

On a batting-friendly surface, Travis Head will once again be at the forefront of SRH's batting juggernaut which aims to finally post a total in excess of 300. If Head can get going, SRH will have the perfect platform to aim for their big ambitions.