The Chennai Super Kings will have first place in mind when they host the Royal Challengers Bangalore, who will be just that little more desperate for victory to keep their playoff hopes alive, in Ranchi as IPL 2014 returns from a two-day break.
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The game is scheduled for a 4 pm IST (3.30 pm BST, 10.30 am ET) start with live coverage on Sony Six (English) and Sony Max (Hindi) in India. The match can also be watched via live streaming online HERE or HERE. Watch the match in the rest of the world HERE, HERE or through the GoCricket apps. Viewers in the US can catch the game on Willow TV or with the live streaming option HERE, while Canada viewers can do the same HERE.
Viewers in the UK can catch the match on ITV, while Pakistan viewers can do the same on Geo Super, with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh audience able to watch the game on TV on Masaranga TV and Carlton Sports Network respectively. Viewers in the Middle East can watch the action on OSN with the live streaming option available HERE, while New Zealand viewers can do the same via Sky NZ or HERE or via the above rest of the world options.
The match promises to be a cracker, with both sides quite potent in the batting department. CSK are currently second in the table, trailing Kings XI Punjab on net run rate with both teams nicely placed on 16 points.
It does look like the Super Kings and KXIP will finish in the top two places and with it seal a two-way chance of making the IPL 2014 final.
CSK are coming off a comfortable enough five-wicket victory over the Rajasthan Royals, the only team that can realistically threaten their top-two place, and coach Stephen Fleming admitted a few tweaks to the lineup here or there could be in order as the team look to deal with niggles heading into the business end of the tournament.
"We tried to do some new things in the last match, we introduced a young player [Vijay Shankar] in our XI, which is important as you move forward in the tournament," Fleming said. "We've experimented with different combinations of spin and pace.
"So, we have some good information that is required as we move forward. This time in the season, the plans are almost set, all you do is make some subtle observations and changes in terms of individual performances. A lot of it comes down to ensuring you have the right team for the right pitch. That, I think, is one of the main challenges for all the coaches."
David Hussey has been roped-in as a replacement for the injured Dwayne Bravo, and the Australian could get a chance on Sunday, with Fleming and MS Dhoni considering resting a few of their star players. Hussey will definitely get some playing time after a couple of matches, with Brendon McCullum set to fly back to New Zealand for the birth of his child.
"David will fit into the middle order," Fleming added. "Faf [Du Plessis] has experience in opening the batting, and our main option is to move Faf up in the order and make David play in the middle order, where he is accustomed to playing.
"We've got a couple of games before Brendon flies back home and we'll juggle the players depending on their fitness -- Faf looked a bit ginger in the last game."
RCB are currently two points, or a win, off fourth-placed Kolkata Knight Riders, and the Bangalore franchise will know nothing but maximum points in their final four games will do if they are to book a berth in the playoffs.
"Every game is a semifinal now, but right now, we're focused only on CSK, who are one of the best teams in the competition," RCB batting and fielding coach Trent Woodhill said. "They're experienced, well groomed and they're the best fielding side.
"McCullum and [Dwayne] Smith have gotten them off to great starts and in [R] Ashwin and [Ravindra] Jadeja they've got two spinners who can control the game well. These guys are our biggest challenges."
RCB will be banking on the tremendous recent form of Yuvraj Singh, who finally crept out of those can't-buy-a-run shadows with some truly brilliant knocks in his last couple of games. If Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli can find some form as well, then the Royal Challengers will have all four of their big men in prime touch, a worrying factor for any side in IPL 2014.
