Home advantage will be key for the Chennai Super Kings when they take on a Rajasthan Royals side, still hurting from a heavy loss to the Royal Challengers Bangalore, in their IPL 2013 game Monday.
CSK enjoyed a good weekend, after their authoritative win over the reigning IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. CSK opener Michael Hussey was the key yet again, anchoring the innings brilliantly, before some fireworks from Ravindra Jadeja put the result beyond doubt.
"I think there was pressure all the way through, because it was a difficult surface to bat on," Hussey told the IPL's official website after the game against KKR.
"It was almost a case of if you play properly, try and work the ones and twos, it can be very difficult to score, but if you try and tee off it might just work. But obviously you needed one person to try and bat through the innings and have the other guy try and hit around.
"I just enjoy the game, and I want to be involved in the game throughout. I love the game and try to give it my best for the side I represent."
CSK were also outstanding in the field against KKR, with 37-year-old Hussey leading by example by taking a brilliant low catch to dismiss Gautam Gambhir, which proved to be a crucial wicket in the eventual scheme of things.
"Not just in this game, but I think the fielding standards across the whole competition have really improved over the last couple of years," he added. "This year in particular there seems to be a lot of great catches and good run outs. It has indeed got better."
Rajasthan Royals have been poor away from home, winning just one of their three games in IPL 2013 so far. Rahul Dravid knows that his team will have to set that record straight if they are to stand any chance against CSK, who have made Chepauk their fortress.
"We have played well at home, winning all our three games but we won one game away and lost two," Dravid said. "We are going to have to improve our record there and try and win a few more games on the road, while trying to maintain our strength -- playing (at home) in Jaipur."
To watch CSK vs Rajasthan Royals Live Streaming for U.S. viewers, click here.
