Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha believes both Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have the batting firepower to score close to 190 when they meet in Match 34 of IPL 2020 on Saturday in Sharjah. Ojha said all it takes for batting teams is a sensible approach, considering the relatively slower wicket at the iconic venue.
Sharjah was bowlers’ nightmare in the first half of IPL 2020 as 200 seemed to be the par-score. With the short boundaries in place, mishits flew over the ropes, agonising the bowling sides. The first three matches at Sharjah in the ongoing season saw all 6 teams getting a score of 200 or more.
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However, since the game between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals on October 9, teams have struggled to score 200. The highest total at Sharjah since the start of October has been 208, posted by Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings will meet in Sharjah with question marks remaining over the nature of the wicket. However, Ojha believes the team batting first can still aim big and post an above-par total.
“Yes, I do (batsmen going for 180-190). First innings, it is possible. I will back batsmen to get somewhere around 170 to 190. Not in the second innings, because the wickets are slowing down. Both teams who are playing today, they are capable of getting those runs. If they bat sensibly, they can,” Pragyan Ojha told Sports Today.
Meanwhile, the former spinner also backed MS Dhoni to come good even if there is a match-up in Saturday’s game against the likes of express pacers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. While MS Dhoni’s batting form has been far from impressive, Rabada and Nortje have been two of the most successful bowlers in the ongoing season.
“We are talking about MSD. We are not talking about somebody else. We saw Chris Gayle. After January, he batted for the first time and got runs. I know it won’t be easy for MS Dhoni because Rabada is bowling well, his team is doing well. There are a lot of positives for Rabada but when we talk about MS Dhoni, I will give that cushion to him because he is a champion player. That’s why we all talk about MSD, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma,” Ojha said.