CSK look to continue winning run as IPL arrives in India

As the IPL action shifts to India after a rendezvous in the UAE, formidable Chennai Super Kings will seek to continue their winning momentum when they lock horns with Kolkata Knight Riders, who will be hoping for a reversal in fortunes in Ranchi on Friday.

Since being out-slugged by table-toppers Kings XI Punjab in their high-scoring opening game, two-time champions CSK brought their A game into play, which saw them winning the next four matches with ease.

In contrast, the Knight Riders, who kicked off the seventh season of the cash-rich league with a bang, lost their way somewhat in the UAE, where the first-leg matches were held.

With three defeats and two wins, the former winners will hope that their fortunes change for the better in their 'home' match.

As far as the two captains are concerned, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is always confidence personified and has been marshalling the CSK outfit from the inaugural edition, and with a lot of success too.

His counterpart, Gautam Gambhir, after a miserable run of form that saw him being dismissed for two consecutive ducks, will be

Sunil Narine will again be the key man with the ball but the Knight Riders have been relying too much on the mystery spinner for breakthrough.

The West Indian needs more support from pace spearhead Morne Morkel, who can be devastating on his day, and men like Shakib Al Hasan and Piyush Chawla. Kallis, as usual, will be there to roll his arm over.

On the other hand, CSK will be high on confidence having posted four straight wins, their team often giving the impression of being one of the most balanced in the tournament.

Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith are as formidable as one gets at the top of the order. Both had a good outing in their five-wicket win against Sunrisers Hyderabad and the pair could prove to be a thorn in KKR's flesh.

In Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis and Dhoni, CSK have got a middle-order that is just about perfect for this form of the game.

Ravindra Jadeja is there to do the job with both bat and ball. Ben Hilfenhaus will lead the pace attack that Ishwar Pandey and Mohit Sharma, while Ravichandran Ashwin will be the key man in spin department.