Two of the biggest IPL teams, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore, will be in action tonight at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi, for the crucial second qualifier of IPL 2015.
The winner will meet Mumbai Indians in the finals of the tournament. The Rohit Sharma led side guaranteed their spot in the finals after they defeated CSK in the first qualifier. Hence CSK have got another opportunity to grab that elusive finals place.
The game between the two sides is expected to be an entertaining one with both teams possessing an array of stars, who can lighten up the atmosphere at Ranchi.
Here is a look at players, who will need to perform and help their team reach the elusive IPL 2015 finals.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Mandeep Singh – The right-hander will be a confident player after his game changing 34 ball 54 against Rajasthan Royals, which played an important role in helping the team reach180 runs on the board, bating first. Mandeep will be asked to come up with a similar performance if RCB's top order fails to produce the goods. Mandeep is a fearless cricketer, who can strike the ball long and rotate strike at will, which was witnessed against the Royals as well.
David Wiese – The South African might not have taken the IPL by storm, but has been an important bowler for the RCB in the middle overs of the game. Wiese has taken 15 wickets in the competition so far. He mixes the ball pretty well to make the batsmen think, which eventually leads to their downfall. Wiese can use the long handle to good effect as well when required.
AB de Villiers – In de Villiers, they have a batsman capable of making impossible look possible. The batsman is not all about hammer and tongs and can adapt to the situation as per the team's need. But his forte lies in taking the attack to the opposition and de Villiers has been wonderful in scoring quick runs. He has already scored more than 500 runs in the tournament and is in good knick to add some more runs to his tally.
Chennai Super Kings
Ravichandran Ashwin – Ashwin is one of the trump cards for CSK skipper, MS Dhoni, who has used him in the middle overs to good effect, opening the bowling as well and the spinner has more often or not, performed. He has taken nine wickets in the competition and Dhoni has sometimes used the bowler to apply brakes on the run scoring as well. It will be interesting to see how Dhoni will use the bowler against RCB tonight.
Suresh Raina – Despite scoring 346 runs in IPL 2015, the batsman has not looked convincing at the crease. Coming in to bat at number three, he is one of the most crucial batsmen for CSK. When on song, the batsman can bludgeon bowlers all around the park and fans at Ranchi will be eager to witness the same.
MS Dhoni – The Indian skipper does not get much chance to play in front of his home crowd, but he will get that elusive opportunity tonight and the local fans will expect Dhoni to come out all guns blazing. MS Dhoni has scored 328 runs in IPL 2015 at a healthy strike rate of 124.71. CSK captain is one of the most dangerous players in world cricket especially in the slog overs, as he can clear the fence with ease.
