Chennai take on Rajasthan from 3pm on Sky Sports Cricket, when Mark Ramprakash and Michael Lumb will join us in the studio
Saturday 21 April 2018 20:05, UK
Here's what's in store in the Indian Premier League today...
Today's Game
It's all to play for in Pune ahead of this weekend's double-headers as two teams, showing signs of struggling for consistency, strive to keep pace with the tournament's early pace-setters.
Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals have both had their moments in the competition so far - most noticeably CSK out-gunning an Andre Russell-inspired Kolkata Knight Riders and the Royals picking off RCB after Sanju Samson's mighty 92no - but now need to put a run together.
How have the teams done so far?
Since beating Mumbai in the opening match of the tournament and turning over Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai have tasted defeat for the first time - going down to Kings XI Punjab by four runs as Chris Gayle smashed 63. So what are they made of?
Rajasthan's form is a mixed bag, with two wins and two defeats from their opening four matches. Defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders in their most recent outing, on Wednesday, once again exposed their all-round fragility - especially when Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes fail to fire.
Ones to watch
Beware the old-stager. Shane Watson has only fired in one of his three knocks so far but with five wickets to his name has just the nous and ability to drag Chennai up by their boot-laces.
Sticking with the all-rounders, keep an eye out for off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham who has the potential to be Rajasthan's trump card if he beds in at the wicket.
Which England players could feature?
In Sam Billings, Chennai have a batsman born to excel in the IPL - as his stunning 56 off 23 balls against KKR proved. That was exactly the type of knock that England assistant coach Paul Farbrace said he'd love to see more of - and this is the perfect stage to do it.
Paceman Mark Wood has featured just once - and David Willey not at all - for the franchise so far, his four overs against Mumbai Indians costing 49.
Stokes and Buttler have failed to score 30 yet in Rajasthan's middle-order and surely it's only a matter of time before one of them tees off? Stokes has just one wicket to his name as well, but did pull off this blinder of a boundary catch against Kolkata.
Who's in the Sky Cricket Studio?
It's a powerful top three as presenter and former England opener Nick Knight is joined by Michael Lumb and current England Test batting coach Mark Ramprakash.
Sky Sports will continue to show every IPL game live, so fans from all over can enjoy the best of Indian cricket.
