IPL 2018 Qualifier 1 - SRH v/s CSK: 3 key match-ups that could decide who goes straight to the final

After over six weeks and 56 matches of top-notch cricket, we’re ready for the start of the playoffs in the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL).

In Tuesday’s Qualifier 1 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) take on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The winner, of course, will earn a direct passage to the final of this 11th edition of the T20 extravaganza.

The two teams have without doubt been the dominant forces this season. SRH led the points table for the better part of the league, with CSK maintaining a firm grip of the second position.

Although CSK won both the encounters against SRH in the league stage of IPL 2018, this stat will hold little relevance once the two teams take the field on Tuesday.

Kane Williamson's 'Orange Army' have relied greatly on their bowling to make it through this far. The likes of Rashid Khan, Shakib Al Hasan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Siddarth Kaul have been instrumental in pulling their team out of tight spots consistently.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 'Whistle Podu' gang, on the other hand, make up for their relatively weak bowling with a solid batting unit. Ambati Rayudu, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina and Dhoni himself have provided the bulk of the victories for the two-time champs this season.

Of course, it's impossible to finish in the top two in the league without all departments contributing, but SRH depending on their bowling and CSK on their batting has been the mantra for both teams in IPL 11.

Keeping that in mind, here's a look at three key match-ups that could decide who goes straight to the final on Tuesday.

SRH v/s CSK - 3 key battles

Bhuvneshwar Kumar v/s Ambati Rayudu-Shane Watson

At the start of the season, it seemed Kings XI Punjab's KL Rahul and Chris Gayle would end up being the standout opening pair. While Rahul continued his merry run with the bat, the burly West Indian soon fizzled out. This meant that CSK's Rayudu and Watson could stake claim to being the best opening combination in IPL 2018. And unlike their Punjab counterparts, the Men In Yellow have been consistent through the league. Both have hundreds under their belts, have maintained their position among the leading run-scorers, and have single-handedly won games for their side.

The duo will be up against one of the finest new-ball bowlers in T20 cricket - Bhuvi. Apart from one game this season against Delhi Daredevils, where Rishabh Pant got stuck into him en route a century - Bhuvneshwar has been his usual economical self. The right-arm medium-pacer isn't among the top wicket takers (he's got eight scalps from nine matches), but his economy rate of 8.14 - umpteen death overs included - shows he's in good touch. The CSK top order will need to be at the top of their game to negotiate this highly-skilled pacer.

Lungi Ngidi v/s Shikhar Dhawan-Kane Williamson

Skipper Williamson has been the best batsman for SRH by a mile, finishing second in the leading run-scorers list at the end of the league stage. He, along with Dhawan, will need to fire for the 2016 champs if they are to post a competitive total on Tuesday. They will need to cope with an in-form Ngidi. The South African bowled a game-changing spell in CSK's final league game, knocking out KXIP in the process. Ngidi admitted after that match that he's enjoying playing in front of such huge crowds for the first time in his life. If the fiery right-arm quick finds his rhythm, the SRH batters could be in serious trouble.

Rashid Khan v/s Suresh Raina-MS Dhoni

He's hailed as the best T20 spinner in the world. His 16 wickets from 14 games at an economy of 7.21 reflects his brilliance. On Tuesday, however, Rashid Khan will be up against two men who have destroyed many egos through the course of their glittering IPL careers. Raina and Dhoni are in fine form too. While 'Thala' is having his best IPL with the bat, 'Chinna Thala' has played several match-winning knocks, including the last game. They were the force behind CSK's immense success in the past, and they've lived up to their billing in IPL 2018.

This match-up is, perhaps, the most exciting one for fans. Rashid has dismissed the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers with consummate ease this season. The Afghan has been the go-to guy for Williamson in tense situations. With Dhoni struggling a bit against leg-spinners lately, this promises to be a fascinating duel.