In the Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings IPL 2014 Playoffs Qualifier 2 encounter at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday, there will be no second chances – it's either win and move into the final, or lose and go back home.
Where to Watch Live:
Get a story on Raina's amazing knock HERE
Read Sehwag's quotes story HERE
Watch the Highlights HERE
Get the report HERE
The do-or-die game is scheduled for an 8 pm IST (3.30 pm BST, 10.30 am ET) start with live coverage on Sony Six, Sony Six HD (English) and Sony Max (Hindi) in India. The match can also be watched via live streaming online in India HERE or HERE. Viewers in the US can catch the game on Willow TV or ESPN 3 or with the live streaming option HERE or HERE, while Canada viewers can do the same HERE. Watch the match in the rest of the world HERE, HERE or through the GoCricket apps. 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.
CSK are quite familiar with that scenario, having faced a knockout match against the Mumbai Indians, a match in which they showed a complete lack of nerves in a thoroughly professional performance.
KXIP, though, will be playing their first real knockout match of IPL 2014. Qualifier 1 did not go too well for the best side from the league phase, but thanks to that second chance, they at least have another opportunity at making amends.
In their two league games earlier this season, Kings XI proved to be too strong for CSK, with runs, runs and more runs the order of those two days of enthralling cricket.
The first match between the two in Abu Dhabi, was IPL cricket, from a batting point of view, at its best, with KXIP chasing down a massive target of 206 with ridiculous ease in just 18.5 overs. The second game saw Kings XI batting first and posting a huge total of 231, which the Super Kings could not even remotely come close to overhauling.
Glenn Maxwell was the star of both of those matches, making 95 in the first and 90 in the second, and the Australian will again play a key role come Friday. Maxwell's form over the last few games is a bit of a worry, though, with that ridiculous hitting just not on show.
The right-hander considerably struggled in his brief stay against KKR, with rain and the pressure perhaps getting to him a little bit; bringing back that calmness combined with ruthlessness will be vital in Qualifier 2.
Another big-time player of IPL 2014 who struggled in his last game was Dwayne Smith, with the CSK opener scratching his way to a below-par 24. The ball failed to find the middle of the bat in the majority of that innings, and CSK will hope for a more assured performance from their powerful opener.
The Super Kings showed tremendous big-match nous in the win over the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator on Wednesday, and the fact that they have been here and done it before plenty of times in the IPL playoffs will be a huge advantage.
"We played pretty well. There were some nervous moments, but Suresh Raina has played a lot of cricket and has done it in high-pressure situations," Faf Du Plessis told IPL's official website after CSK's impressive seven-wicket win over the defending champions. "And this is what CSK has done over a long period of time - in these stages of the competition, we play our best cricket."
CSK have bags of experience in their lineup with Du Plessis and Smith at the top, followed by Raina, Brendon McCullum, David Hussey and MS Dhoni, all match-winners. Kings XI, on the other hand, have relied on youthful exuberance combined by a bit of experience.
Come late Friday night we will know which combination came up trumps.
