Indian Premier League on Sky Sports Cricket - today's action
CSK take on RCB and Sunrisers entertain Delhi - plus Paul Farbrace in the studio!
Saturday 5 May 2018 11:18, UK
Here's what's in store in the Indian Premier League today...
Today's Games
Yes, that's right - games plural! Today we see the return of the Saturday double-header after last week's mini hiatus and what a line up it is! First up it's Dhoni versus Kohli as high-flying Chennai Super Kings entertain Royal Challengers Bangalore - join us live on Sky Sports Cricket from 11am for that cracker. Then from 3pm top-of-the-form table Hyderabad Sunrisers take on the maverick Delhi Daredevils in a mouth-watering match-up. Here's why…
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How have the teams done so far?
Chennai's romp to joint-top spot in the table is Dhoni-inspired - and yet they have lost two of their last three matches, to Delhi and most recently to Kolkata on Thursday. For once Dhoni's fireworks were eclipsed as teenager Shubman Gill blasted KKR home, putting the brakes on Chennai's charge.
Opponents RCB have not been in action since Tuesday when they ended a two-game losing streak with victory over Mumbai. New New Surrey signing Kohli has not been able to inject consistency into his side despite averaging 58.16 in the tournament so far and mid-table represents a modest return.
Meanwhile Sunrisers - ahead of CSK on net run-rate - continue to startle their rivals with devastating bowling displays; since losing to Super Kings almost two weeks ago, they have put together a run of three victories, defending totals of 118, 132 and 151. Surely that cannot continue?
In Trent Boult, Delhi might just have the bowler to inflict more pain on Hyderabad - the Kiwi having already taken 13 wickets. Only two of their batsmen have scored over 150 runs in the tournament so far though - skipper Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant - suggesting they will have their work cut out if they are to move away from the lower echelons of the table.
Ones to watch
Suresh Raina came to the party with an unbeaten 75 in Chennai's defeat to Mumbai but in a power-packed order there's a lot more to come from the No 3. Expect him to swell his 236-run tournament haul and some.
Tough as it is to look past the established stars, Manan Vohra burned brightly against Mumbai following two tournament failures - his 45 off 31 balls showcasing a dynamite talent.
What is true for Raina is even more pertinent for Shikhar Dhawan, who has struggled to fire since his unbeaten 78 against Royals - chalking up 74 runs in his next six innings. The blue touch paper might just about to be lit.
In contrast, runs have come freely for Pant who has 375 to his name including knocks of 79 and 69 in his last two visits to the crease. If anyone is to sweep aside this Sunrisers' attack, it might just be him.
Which England players could feature?
Great question. Sam Billings' stock appears to have fallen somewhat at CSK after a return of 80 runs in five innings. He has missed the last two games but Dhoni's faith in fielding an unchanged side against KKR was not rewarded so the door might be ajar. Mark Wood remains searching for the key.
Chris Woakes is faring rather better at RCB - returning eight wickets at 23.75 apiece to date - but has missed the last three games. Meanwhile, like Wood, Alex Hales and Chris Jordan have just made one appearance for their franchise - Hales finally getting the chance to make his mark in Sunrisers' most recent match, scoring 45 on debut.
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Fellow opener Jason Roy has vanished off the Delhi radar after three knocks so English eyes may well be trained on Liam Plunkett, whose 3-17 against Kings XI remains his premier performance.
Who's in the studio?
England's assistant coach Paul Farbrace is back in the studio alongside presenter Matt Floyd to cast his expert eye over these tasty fixtures in the company of IPL veteran Michael Lumb.
Sky Sports will continue to show every IPL game live, so fans from all over can enjoy the best of Indian cricket.
