IPL 2018: SRH players CSK can target in the final

Against all odds, CSK have reached the finals for the seventh time, the most in the history of IPL. At the start of the tournament, CSK were called the 'aging warriors' but those players showed the importance of experience at crunch moments. Almost every player has contributed in CSK's successful campaign and that has been the reason why they have looked invincible.

They have just one final hurdle to cross before they can lift their 3rd IPL title. After a brilliant start to the season, SRH lost their form at the business end of the tournament. They lost their last 3 league matches and the qualifier against CSK, before making a comeback in the eliminator, defeating Kolkata Knight Riders by 14 runs. Despite being in the final, there are certain players who are not in great touch and can be targeted by CSK.

#3 Yusuf Pathan

Yusuf Pathan getting cleaned up

Yusuf Pathan is one of the fiercest strikers of the cricket ball and is renowned for his big hitting, but unfortunately his performance this season has been below par. Pathan, who has also struggled with injuries, has scored just 215 runs in 14 matches this season.

The thing that will concern SRH the most is his low strike-rate of 122.85. Except for a couple of cameos, Pathan has failed to score quick runs at the end of the innings. Teams have targeted his struggles against fast bowling and with the likes of Lungi Ngidi in the side, CSK will certainly look to exploit this.

#2 Deepak Hooda/Manish Pandey

Can Manish Pandey get back into the playing XI?

Sunrisers' team management finally ran out of patience and dropped Manish Pandey for the all-important eliminator against KKR. Pandey has been terribly out of form, scoring just 284 runs in 15 matches at a below-par strike-rate of 115.44 and his inability to score quick runs has cost SRH a couple of matches.

He was replaced by Deepak Hooda. Hooda has been in and out of the playing XI and has scored 84 runs in 8 matches. SRH might continue with Hooda or go back to Pandey in the final but regardless of who plays in the match, CSK will look to target SRH's weak middle order.

#3 Khaleel Ahmed/Sandeep Sharma/Basil Thampi

Sandeep Sharma was dropped from the playing XI in the eliminator

Despite being the best bowling unit of IPL 2018, SRH have struggled with the ball in the last few matches. One of the major reasons for this has been the inconsistent performance of their third fast-bowler. Sandeep Sharma, whom they persisted with for a long time, faltered in the latter stages after having a fantastic start to the season. In his last 4 matches, Sandeep has taken 4 wickets with a high economy of 10.46.

His replacement in the eliminator, Khaleel Ahmed, didn't have the best of IPL debuts. Khaleel, who warmed the bench for 15 matches, finally got his opportunity against KKR. However, he seemed to be done in by the big occasion and went for 38 runs in 3 overs.

The other option SRH have is Basil Thampi, who went for 70 runs, the most in IPL history, in his last match against RCB. No matter which player gets a chance in the final, he will be under tremendous pressure against a red-hot CSK batting line-up.