Introduction-
The first ever finalists of the IPL- Chennai Super Kings & Rajasthan Royals- will contest against each other in search of 2 important points. Both the teams will play their 4th match of the season, having won two each out of three so far.
Loss-win-win! This is how CSK have fared so far, as they got the better of LSG and MI, after facing a drubbing against Gujarat Titans in the opening game. On the other hand, Rajasthan faced a close defeat against PBKS in between two wins against SRH & DC.
Let’s have a look at the Match Preview of this important match set to be played on Wednesday evening at the Chepauk.
Team Preview-
Chennai Super Kings-
After falling short against Gujarat Titans in the opening game of the season, Super Kings were quick to get into winning ways. Although LSG didn’t let Super Kings walk away with an easy win while chasing 217, the latter played a perfect game against their arch rival- Mumbai Indians- at the Wankhede.
The bowling forms of Ravindra Jadeja & Mitchell Santner will be prompting Super Kings as they will be back playing at their home. In addition to that, Moeen Ali was also among wickets in the last game he played when he took 4-fer against the LSG. The spin trio of Jadeja-Santner-Moeen can be the real game changer for CSK at the spin heaven Chepauk.
Unexpected returns from Ajinkya Rahane, as the senior fellow smashed the fastest fifty for CSK this season, has boosted CSK’s batting stocks big time, and they are looking a formidable batting unit. With Rahane likely to bat at three, it will be interesting to see who - Moeen Ali or Shivam Dube- bat at number 4, as both left handers are preferred to bat in top 4 by CSK management.
Deepak Chahar and Ben Stokes will continue to sit out due to injuries, while Sri Lankan duo of Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesa Pathirana will be available for selection. Sisanda Magala, who was somewhat rusty against Mumbai Indians, is likely to be replaced by spinner Maheesh Theekshana, as the match will be played in spin friendly conditions. In all likelihood, Rajvardhan Hangargekar will replace Deepak Chahar.
Rajasthan Royals-
The runner-up of the previous season, the Royals have started with a bang again. Apart from the nail biting finish where Royals got the adverse result against Punjab Kings, they have been quite clinical, as the margin of their victories against SRH & DC is 72 runs and 57 runs respectively. Greatly defend totals is the testimony of Royals’ bowling prowess, and CSK batting unit is set to face a good challenge.
Rajasthan has scored in excess of 190 in all matches so far, and most of their batsmen are looking in great nick. Arrival of Dhruv Jurel has provided them the depth they have been craving for, as Riyan Parag has not really fulfilled the demands.
Although Royals have enough spin power in their ranks in the form of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravi Ashwin, the pitch at Chepauk may tempt them to play Adam Zampa for Jason Holder. Apart from that, they are likely to continue with the winning combination from the last match.
Probable playing XIs-
Chennai Super Kings-
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C & WK), Mitchell Santner, Maheesh Theekshana, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Tushar Deshpande (Impact Subs- Ambati Rayudu, Akash Singh)
Rajasthan Royals-
Yashashvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (C & WK), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmeyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravi Ashwin, Jason Holder, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sandeep Sharma (Impact subs- Devdutt Padikkal, Kuldip Sen, M Ashwin)
Interesting facts and milestones-
- This will be the 200th match as captain for CSK in IPL for MS Dhoni.
- Jos Buttler needs 117 runs to complete 3000 runs in IPL.
- In the last 5 matches between the two teams, RR have defeated CSK four times.
- Trent Boult has dismissed Ruturaj Gaikwad 3 times in 24 balls, giving away just 22 runs.
- Boult 3 wickets away from 100 IPL wickets - Would be the first Kiwi for the milestone
- Moeen 48 runs away from 1000 IPL runs
- Jadeja needs 3 more wickets to become CSK's second highest wicket taker.
- Gaikwad needs 37 runs to claim the orange cap of the season momentarily.
- Chahal needs 2 wickets to claim the purple cap momentarily.
- Buttler needs just 19 runs to become RR's third highest run scorer. 44 runs would take him to 2500 runs for RR.
- One more six for Buttler and he'll have the second most sixes for RR.
- Buttler needs just 17 more runs to complete 3000 IPL runs, first from an English.
Pitch and Weather Report-
The temperature will hover around 30 degree celsius during the match time. There is no chance of rain, and the fans can be sure about a full match on offer. Pitch at Chepauk has been famous for its help to spinners and low scoring affairs, but the first match here after 4 years- between CSK and LSG- saw a high scoring thriller. The same is expected in the match between CSK and RR.
Venue- MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Date and Time- 12th April 2023, 7:30 PM Onwards
Live Streaming- Jio Cinema and Star Sports Network
Dream XI team-
