Durban: Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab will fight for a semi-final spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Wednesday.
Super Kings lost their last match to bottom-placed Kolkata Knight Riders which left them on 15 points and requiring a victory in their last league match to make the semi-final cut.
If they lose, they will have to depend on the results of other teams to reach the semi-final, while Kings XI Punjab, who are on 14 points, a loss will see the end of their title hopes.
Kings XI Punjab will be high on confidence after two back-to-back wins against super-form teams Delhi Daredevils and Deccan Chargers.
In their last match, against Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab pulled off a close win defending a low total of 134 runs.
Their bowling looks in good shape with Irfan Pathan and Brett Lee in fine touch. The slower bowlers in Ramesh Powar and Piyush Chawla, too, have provided breakthroughs at important times. And skipper Yuvraj Singh has been a revelation with the ball, claiming two hat-tricks in the tournament, one coming against Chargers on Sunday.
Yuvraj would hope to carry the same form in batting that looks shaky and is dependant on Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, whose return after missing the match against Chargers would bolster the team.
Super Kings will have to quickly regroup themselves after their loss to Knight Riders.
Skipper Dhoni minced no words when he asked his bowlers to raise their game after they failed to defend a target of 188.
Super Kings batting is the best in the tournament with Matthew Hayden, Suresh Raina, and Dhoni in top form.
The bowling has been a let down time and again in the tournament.
Super Kings had confidently thrashed Kings XI in the first match and Dhoni is confident of a similar result.
Match facts
Wednesday May 20, 2009 (day/night)
Start time 04.45pm, 14.45GMT, 08:15pm IST