CSK have been under pressure to perform and book place in playoffs. They came up with a fantastic win against RR. Defending champions Chennai Super Kings chances of making the playoffs are still far from good as they take on tournament-leaders Delhi Daredevils in a crucial IPL match on Saturday. With Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders comfortably placed at the top of the points table, there’s a crowd in the middle vying for the two other knockout places. The last three days have, in fact, seen three different teams at fourth spot. A win for Chennai Super Kings can take them into the top four ahead of another tricky match away to Kolkata.

IPL 2012: DD vs CSK Preview

CSK have to win next three games to be sure of qualifying to playoffs, since, five teams namely Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab have four more matches to go. The Daredevils and Knight Riders enjoy the top two positions with 18 and 17 points, respectively from 12 matches each and these two would have lesser problems in making the playoffs.

Delhi had emerged victorious the last time CSK clashed with them but given that today`s match is a home game for Chennai, the result could be different. Delhi is ruling the roost thanks to consistence performances by Captain Virender Sehwag with Australian import David Warner adding to their firepower.

Even though Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardane and New Zealand`s Ross Taylor have not been among the runs. With the addition of centurion David Warner, Delhi believes they will lift the cup this time.

But Delhi Daredevils coach Eric Simmons expects, saying his team needed to be on guard against the Chennai Super Kings whom they meet in a crucial Indian Premier League game here Saturday.

The Super Kings, languishing on 13 points, are in a must-win situation as their hopes of making the play-offs hinge on them winning all their remaining games.Simmons, while admitting that all-rounder Albie Morkel presents a huge threat to Daredevils, pointed out that his team needs to plan against each of the Super Kings batsmen and, more importantly, execute the plans on the field.

Big Picture

Albie Morkel hasn’t had many chances with the bat but has twice turned a match on its head. He did it first against Royal Challengers and then against Royals. The last time he played against his brother Morne, he faced only three balls. This time, can he disturb Morne’s rhythm?

David Warner announced his arrival this season with his second IPL century, 109 off 54 balls. With Sehwag also in good form, Super Kings’ spinners have a tough task at hand.

Stats and Trivia

• In the previous match between these two sides this season, in Delhi, Super Kings imploded to 110 – their lowest total of 2012.
• David Warner scored 82 runs in boundaries in his innings against Deccan Chargers, which is the highest this season.
• Suresh Rania’s strike-rate in the IPL before the start of this season was 140.32. This season it has dropped to 127.43.
• MS Dhoni has hit 59 sixes in his IPL career – but only four this season.

Tags: Chennai Super Kings, Cricket, CSK, DD, Delhi Daredevils, IPL 2012, IPL 5, Preview