3 Key Strategies for CSK to Secure Victory Against LSG Today

Chennai Super Kings are set to take on Lucknow Super Giants in the return fixture on Tuesday. The last time these two sides played was in Lucknow where the home team won the game by 8 wickets with an over to spare. 

Half-centuries from opener KL Rahul and Quinton De Kock meant that LSG coasted to an easy win. After a blazing start to the season, Chennai Super Kings have begun to show inconsistency in the last few games of IPL 2024. 

One of the biggest plus points for Chennai is that they return back to their home stadium which has become a fortress. Lucknow Super Giants have played just one game at this venue, which was during the IPL 2023 season, they went on to lose by 12 runs. 

Here are three things that the Chennai Super Kings need to do right today to beat LSG:

3. Open Ruturaj Gaikwad with Ajinkya Rahane 

As a batter, the best position for Ruturaj Gaikwad is the opening slot. In the last few games, the Chennai Super Kings skipper has been batting at the third spot. Due to the lack of form shown by Rachin Ravindra, the need has come for Ruturaj Gaikwad to bat as an opener. 

Ajinkya Rahane has also done well as an opener in most of his IPL career. The two batters can complement each other and play attacking cricket without taking many risks. Both the batters are similar in their approach which can give Chennai Super Kings the much-needed cushion at the top. 

2. Have to bowl better in the powerplay overs 

Chennai Super Kings have failed to see their new ball bowlers give them early wickets in the powerplay overs. The likes of Tushar Deshpande and Deepak Chahar have struggled with the ball this year which has seen the opposition team take full toll.

The fact that LSG has two quality strikers of the ball opening the innings, they need to take early wickets. If KL Rahul, Quinton De Kock or both get going the CSK side could end up having a long day in the field. CSK have to hope that Deepak Chahar can find his form as he is a key component for the men in yellow with the new ball. 

1. Give Mitchell Santner a chance to play

New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner has been on the bench and has been waiting for his chance. The bad form of Rachin Ravindra can potentially open with a chance for Mitchell Santner to play his first game of the season. 

The left-arm spinner has just featured in 15 games and picked 13 wickets. One of the biggest talking points is the fact that Mitchell Santner has an outstanding economy rate of 6.88 which could prove beneficial on the slow and low tracks in Chennai at this time of the season.