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CSK, Royals to battle in must win game

Rajasthan Royals will look to avenge their seven wicket loss to Chennai Super Kings when they play the defending champions in their home-match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) here on Thursday.

Super Kings are on 11 points form 12 games while Rajasthan Royal have 12 points from 12 games will look to improve its chances of finishing in top four by a win in this game. It is a must-win game for both the teams as the IPL enters its last stretch.

The last time Rajasthan played at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Super Kings managed a last ball victory when captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (15 runs/12 balls) sneaked two runs off the final ball of the innings.

But Rajasthan Royals have bounced back in the league with some sterling performances from their Australian duo of Shaun Tait and all-rounder Shane Watson. The duo can make the difference against Super Kings.

Both Tait (3-13) and Watson (90 not out) helped Rajasthan Royals win their second match on trot against Pune Warriors by seven wickets in their last match that revived their hopes of making it to the play-off stage.

Rajasthan Royal's star batsmen Ajinkya Rahane (463 runs from 12 outings), who scored a duck in his last outing, is five runs short of getting back the orange cap from Virender Sehwag (468 runs from 11 matches).

Royals also have a formidable bowling attack. Tait, Siddharth Trivedi and Watson form a great pace trio while off-spinner Johan Botha can also prove handy.

On the other hand, Chennai, who lost their previous match against Mumbai Indians in a last-ball finish, are also in a must win situation.

Super Kings will depend on the start by their leading run scorer, South African Francois du Plessis( 288 runs from 12 games), and will bank on Suresh Raina (265 runs from 12) in the middle-order.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja with nine wickets from 11 matches is their leading wicket taker followed by West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo with nine wickets from 12 games.
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