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[aryan]

MOHALI: One trait that is common to both, the defending champions Chennai Super Kings and the bottom-ranked Kings XI Punjab, is consistency.

While the Dhoni-led side has gone from strength-to-strength to emerge as back-to-back table toppers, the Punjab side has consistently gone down over the last three years.

The IPL 4 season opener once again put the things in place for both teams. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) carried on their winning streak against Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab suffered yet another humiliation at the hands of debutants Sahara Pune Warriors in a never-ending series of defeat.

Yet, the fickle nature of T-20 cricket gives Kings XI an equal chance as they take on a Dhoni-led side at Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in Mohali on Wednesday. Kings XI skipper Adam Gilchrist on Tuesday admitted that it was a "poor all-round performance by our team but these are early days and we hope to do well as we move on," he said. The hosts up against "one of the strongest sides and the defending champions," will have to turn the tide to get going this season. And what better place for them to do that than at home.

After missing a couple of chances in the field and after committing some glaring mistakes while batting against the Sahara Pune Warriors, the hosts now cannot afford another slip-up.

For this, Gilchrist along with Shaun Marsh have to come good in batting. Ryan McLaren has already set the ball rolling.
Gilchrist, however, did not comment on team composition. "We will decide after having a look at the conditions," he said.
But for CSK, it's settled nicely. Batsmen have found their bearing and bowlers have done the job admirably. Should things go wrong, there are plenty of options available for MS Dhoni.

But CSK coach Stephen Fleming prefers to be wary of Gilchrist-led Kings XI Punjab, "The reputation Adam Gilchrist has, I am sure Kings XI Punjab can be expected to come hard at us. They have nothing to lose and it does not matter how you have been performing. It's the performance on a given day that matters. It does not matter which side we play against, we want to play consistently because that is the way you can survive till the end of a long tournament."

Another factor that adds to CSK's favour is their continuity in team combination. They have been building on it with every passing year. "It's been three years since we have tried to keep the same side going with minor changes. It helps that players know each other, their strengths and weakness. That's an advantage, but a slight one," Fleming said.

KEY CLASHES

Dhoni vs Gilchrist

Both are skippers, both are aggressive and both are wicketkeepers. While Dhoni is on a high after his recent success in World Cup and a decent win in the IPL opener, Gilchrist has a new team under him. He has yet to get used to the players and viceversa. But Gilly can change this in a jiffy. One good knock and one good win will give KXIP a lot of confidence.

Raina vs Praveen Kumar

The duo are UP and Team India mates, but now they are on the opposing side. Suresh Raina is an aggressive bat while PK is an intelligent bowler. One will try to outdo the other. Raina will be determined to hit the ball out of the ground and Praveen will be keen to use his swing to get back at him.

Mclaren vs Ashwin

Mclaren was the only one to come out unscathed in KXIP's defeat at Navi Mumbai. He struck an eye-catching halfcentury and showed his prowess with big-hitting. He will be up against R Ashwin and the battle would be worth watching.