Match Details
- Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals
- Chennai, 10am GMT
Current Form
- Chennai Super Kings: LWLWL (last five matches)
- Rajasthan Royals: LLWWW (last five matches)
CSK’ predicament
CSK faces a crucial match against a strong opponent with little time for preparation. They are in a tight spot for a playoff berth and ideally need to win both remaining matches. MS Dhoni’s fitness and potential last home game in the IPL add another layer to the narrative.
Rajasthan Royals’ dominance
RR has been the more consistent unit in recent years, boasting a winning record against CSK in their last four encounters. Their spin attack, particularly R Ashwin’s experience with the Chepauk pitch, could be a deciding factor considering the afternoon game timing.
Expected Playing 11
- CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi (if Rahane is dropped)
- RR: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (capt & wk), Riyan Parag, Shubham Dubey, Donovan Ferreira, Rovman Powell/Keshav Maharaj, R Ashwin, Avesh Khan, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal
Players in Spotlight
- Shivam Dube (CSK): His power hitting can counter the expected slow pitch.
- Yuzvendra Chahal (RR): Despite recent form dip, Chennai’s conditions could favor his leg-spin bowling.
Stats to Consider
- Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium boasts a win percentage of only 27.3% for visiting teams, offering them hope.
- Jos Buttler has historically struggled against CSK’s spin attack, including Mitchell Santner, Moeen Ali, and Maheesh Theekshana.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal’s left-handed batting could create problems for CSK’s spin duo of Jadeja and Santner.
- MS Dhoni remains impactful despite limited time at the crease, boasting the highest strike rate for the first five balls of the innings this season.
- R Ashwin has a dominant record against CSK, winning eight out of 11 matches and taking 13 wickets at a superb economy rate.
Pitch and Conditions
Chennai’s historical data suggests afternoon games favor the chasing team, especially with lower totals being posted first up. However, batting under the scorching heat (40°C) could be a challenge for the team chasing later in the evening.