Former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara believes it will be Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) Rashid Khan against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsmen in the final game of the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on May 27 (Sunday).
Meanwhile, post the mega two-day auction, there were speculations with too many cricketers on the wrong side of the 30s in CSK’s squad.
Come May 27, Chennai is one of the last two team standings in the final game.
However, Sangakkara feels CSK had very ‘specific’ ideas heading into the auction and so far implemented the ideas well on their road to the final.
“CSK picked the side with a very specific purpose. They had a clear idea who they wanted to get. They settled on the players who had the ability but also experience on their side and it has worked for them so far,” Sangakkara told TOI.
Courtesy: BCCIThe wicketkeeper-batsman Sangakkara, who has previously played for various teams in the IPL believes Chennai will be heading into the final full of confidence.
“We don’t know how much this extended break between matches will help Chennai. We’ll have to see if it works out in their favour. But CSK will be heading into the final full of confidence, having already beaten the Sunrisers three times this season and they’ll be hoping if they can make it a fourth on Sunday,” he added.
(Credits: BCCI)
Rashid vs Chennai batsmen: Sanga
Meanwhile, Kumar Sangakkara feels one of the critical factors in the match will be how the Super Kings handle SRH match-winner Rashid.
“For me, it will be Rashid Khan vs the Chennai batsmen. That is one of the reason (Ambati) Rayudu has dropped down to No. 4 to handle the threat of Rashid with Suresh Raina. How Chennai handle SRH pacers on the Wankhede track in the early over and how they deal with Rashid in the middle will dictate the course of the final,” the Lankan concluded.
