Can Axar-Kuldeep top Chennai’s spin power?

Chennai: When in Chennai, you must beat the Chennai Super Kings at their own game. Teams have learnt this the hard way, and the scenario will be no different for the Delhi Capitals, who have to win on Wednesday to stay in contention for a playoff berth. The pitch is likely to be sluggish and spinners are expected to rule the roost, which means DC’s frontline tweakers Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel need to measure up against CSK’s spin troika of Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali and Maheesh Theekshana at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Kuldeep and Axar have had lukewarm success with the ball in the tournament so far, picking up eight and seven wickets respectively. But more than the dismissals, their ability to slow things down and keep the likes of Shivam Dube, Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad at bay when they come after them will be critical. Considering the conditions they will get here, especially if they end up bowling first, the visitors might be tempted to include a third spinner in the XI in the form of 26-year-old offie Lalit Yadav. While Axar’s bowling will be important, his role as a batter will also be extremely crucial. He is one player who can deal with spinners on these surfaces and DC can think of promoting him up the order. It will be interesting to see if CSK, who will look to close in on a top-two berth, will alter their arsenal in any way if they have to bowl second, when the dew could become a big factor. Batting coach Michael Hussey said the team management will certainly mull it over. The home team has missed the services of talismanic allrounder Ben Stokes for a major portion of the tourney as he was sidelined by a toe injury after playing just the first two games. Hussey confirmed that Stokes is now fit and available for selection, and has not been featuring in the playing XI for the last few games because of the nature of the surface and the corresponding team combination.