Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore: CSK to put a desperate fight
One of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League has had an abysmal start to the season. Chennai Super Kings, known as the defending champions, sit last in the points table with an NRR of -1.211.
Is the CSK dynasty over ?The former champion will be clashing with in-form Royal Challengers Bangalore tonight and will be aiming for their first win of the season.
Royal Challengers Bangalore have regained momentum after a slow start . However, they had a disappointing start but made a terrific comeback to win the subsequent three matches. They have plenty of match-winners in all the departments. In the absence of their key wicket-taker, Harshal Patel, we might see Josh Hazlewood or Siddarth Kaul in the playing XI. Dinesh Karthik and Anuj Rawat will be favourites to put forward their attacking form against CSK.
On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings haven't seen promising performance in any of the departments, be it bowling or batting. Though the team is capable enough to turn the fate, they are yet to find a stronghold on the crease. After four consecutive losses, Ravindra Jadeja led CSK will be eyeing to make a comeback by defeating RCB.
Head to head record
The two teams have played 27 matches against each other. Chennai Super Kings had the upper hand by winning 18 of them, while Royal Challengers Bangalore could make a mark in just 9 of them.
Pitch Report
The pitch at Dr. DY Patil Stadium offers reasonable bounce with decent help to offer for both batters and bowlers. Dew can be seen as a factor influencing the winner to an extent. The last two matches played here saw total being chased down easily; hence the toss winning captain might look for chase again.
Probable Playing XI
Chennai Super Kings: Robin Uthappa, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja (c), Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (wk), Dwayne Bravo, Chris Jordan, Maheesh Theekshana, Rajvardhan Hangargekar
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Faf du Plessis (c), Anuj Rawat, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (wk), David Willey, Josh Hazlewood/ Siddarth Kaul, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj
Stats to keep an eye on
- Ruturaj Gaikwad enjoys playing the pace of Mohammed Siraj's pace, having a strike rate of 147 against the bowler without being dismissed. He also has a reasonable strike rate against Wanindu Hasaranga.
- Moeen has been out to Glenn Maxwell twice in four innings and averages just 5.5 against him with a strike rate of 73
- Super Kings will be the sixth team to play 200 IPL matches after Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings.
It will be interesting to see Faf du Plessis turning up against his previously played franchise Chennai Super Kings. Though the head-to-head tally favours Chennai to be on the winning side, the current form makes Royal Challengers' favourites to win tonight's game. It will be an interesting face-off to witness.