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The stage is set for an intense battle as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) prepare to take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2024 season opener. However, RCB faces a daunting challenge as they aim to break the Chennai jinx, having lost seven consecutive matches against CSK at Chepauk since the inaugural IPL season in 2008.
RCB's captain Faf du Plessis, a former CSK favorite, will lead the charge against his old team in Chennai. The spotlight is also on CSK's new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has the responsibility of defending CSK's proud record at Chepauk.
One of the key factors influencing the match is the spin-friendly nature of the Chepauk pitch. CSK boasts a formidable spin attack with the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Maheesh Theekshana, and Rachin Ravindra, while RCB relies more on their batting firepower led by du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Cameron Green.
The return of MS Dhoni for CSK adds experience and leadership, while RCB pins its hopes on Kohli's aggressive form showcased earlier this year in T20Is.
In terms of team composition, CSK may opt for a balanced XI with Ruturaj Gaikwad leading the batting alongside Moeen Ali and Daryl Mitchell, supported by a strong bowling lineup including Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar.
On the other hand, RCB's strategy revolves around their batting depth, with du Plessis, Kohli, Maxwell, and others forming a formidable lineup. Their bowling unit, led by Mohammed Siraj, Alzarri Joseph, and spin options Mayank Dagar and Himanshu Sharma, aims to contain CSK's batting powerhouse.
Key player matchups to watch out for include Ravindra Jadeja against Glenn Maxwell, Gaikwad's record against specific bowlers like Alzarri Joseph and Lockie Ferguson, and Kohli's battle against CSK's spinners.
Here are the details for the CSK vs RCB IPL 2024 match:
Match: Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, IPL 2024
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Date & Time: Friday, March 22, 8:00 PM (IST)
Live Broadcast and Streaming: Star Sports Channels, Jio Cinema App, and Website
Pitch Report: The Chepauk pitch is expected to offer assistance to spinners and pacers with variations. Batsmen will need to adapt to the low bounce on the strip. Weather conditions indicate clear skies with temperatures around 29 degrees Celsius and humidity at 75 percent.
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CSK vs RCB Head-to-Head Record:
- Matches Played: 31
- CSK Wins: 20
- RCB Wins: 10
- No Result: 01
- First Played: April 28, 2008
- Last Played: April 17, 2023
Probable Playing XIs:
Chennai Super Kings:
Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c/wk), Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Mukesh Choudhary, Maheesh Theekshana.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mayank Dagar, Vijaykumar Vyashak, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Siraj, Karn Sharma.
Probable Best Players of the Match:
- Probable Best Batter: Ruturaj Gaikwad's opening prowess can set the tone for CSK, given his ability to dominate Indian bowlers.
- Probable Best Bowler: Deepak Chahar's swing and early breakthroughs make him a key asset for CSK, especially under the guidance of MS Dhoni.
