Another key contest: Kings vs Super Kings under pressure

Chennai, May 9 (UNI) The race for the semi-final berth is hotting up in the Twenty20 DLF Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings contest at the M A Chidambaram stadium could be the one the avowedly knowledgeable cricket fans here would be looking forward to tomorrow, after two drab one sided matches.

As his team mates were having a knock at the nets Kings XI captain Yuvraj Singh and coach Tom Moody said the team had good balance and a strong batting line up despite the absence of Sri Lankan batsman, Kumar Sangakkara.

He will miss the game due to an injury, Yuvraj said adding Sangakkara would take another week or so to recover fully. However, he did not specify the injury.

''We have a balanced team with a strong batting line-up, and we hope to do well tomorrow,'' he said.

When queried about the team's performance so far winning five matches in a row after starting their campaign with two defeats, including one against the Super Kings at Mohali, Yuvraj declined to dwell too much on the past record.

''It's all past and how we play well tomorrow is what matters.

Initially, we took time to get used to each other. After we lost the first two games, we sat down and assigned roles to each player and worked out a strategy. We have a fairly good combination now,'' Yuvraj said.

The Chennai Super Kings arrived here late this afternoon after their thrilling last ball win against Delhi Daredevils in Delhi.

Having caught up with the Kings XI and Rajasthan teams who have a tally of ten points, the Chennai Super Kings would be going full stream to force a win on tomorrow.

''We will be focusing on our own strengths rather than think about the strategies the Super Kings might adopt,'' Yuvraj and Moody pointed out.

''I am happy with the balance of the team and we have a good all-round strength,'' Moody said.

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