Chennai look to turn the heat on Brisbane

With the in-form Chennai Super Kings surging ahead in the CLT20 semi-finals’ race from Group B with posting back-to-back wins, the fight is more confined for the second spot between the remaining four teams, three of which will be in action on Saturday. And the double-header at the JSCA International Stadium Complex here in Ranchi on the day is likely to seal the fate of at last one of them. Australia’s Brisbane Heat run into M.S. Dhoni’s side in the evening game, after losing both their opening matches, and a third loss will put them out of contention for a semi-final berth. In the afternoon game, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Titans, each with a win and loss so far, will attempt to go one up on the other. Fans are likely to be treated to another run-feast in the CSK-Heat game as evening matches here have been high scoring contests with the dew making it difficult for bowlers to execute their plans. And the bonus for the locals is that the stadium is likely to host the two Group B matches on September 30 which have been relocated out of Ahmedabad due to the rains. CSK have got starts and the form of their top order batsmen Suresh Raina and Michael Hussey augurs well for them. Murali Vijay, though, has been the odd one out with two successive ducks. S. Badrinath and Dwayne Bravo provide stability to the middle order but it is Dhoni, especially after a ballistic knock of 63 off 19 balls on Thursday, who provides the edge to the team. The likes of Ravindra Jadeja and R. Ashwin are yet to be tested but they have been proven performers for CSK. As a bowing unit, CSK are yet to hit top gear but the dew factor tilts the match in the favour of the batsmen.