Intense battles, desperation for win and season on the line; business end drama of the IPL at its peak. Add to this,the southern derby of IPL is here. RCB will clash against CSK on Wednesday at Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium in Pune. One team with a firm grip on its fortune in the tournament(RCB),other`s destiny rely on various factors(CSK).
Overview:
Chennai Super Kings:
Four times champions of IPL had a miserable start to the season, accompanied by injury scarce and some thrillers going in the opponents kit. But being a champion side, CSK has made amends and have bagged two very crucial points in their previous outing and will back themselves to stay alive in the tournament.Easy said than done; RIGHT?
Strengths:
1: CSK's most successful skipper Dhoni is back leading his side and giving Sir Jaddu freedom and laying him off responsibilities of the skipper.
2: Openers have gained form and veteran Raydu hasn't disappointed the team in the middle order.
3: Experience of being in such situations and ability to bounce back.
Shortcomings:
1)Death bowling
2)While setting up the target, finishers haven't done the job and lost wickets at crucial junction.
3)Injuries haven't allowed certainty in the team.
Wayforward : Win,win and win or next year whistle podu.
Probable XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(C &WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo/Mitchell Santner, Dwaine Pretorius, Maheesh Theekshana, Simarjeet Singh, Mukesh Choudhary
Royal Challengers Bangalore :
You live by the sword and die by the sword:
RCB has been over the years, carried up by Virat's magnificent knocks and outrageous aggression, but this season the template has changed. Team's ace man hasn't found his mojo and RCB find themselves in a soup. His teammates have rose up to the occasions but the job is not done yet.
Strengths:
1: Form of Dinesh Karthik (DK) : arguably their biggest match winner this season
2: Youngsters like Shabaz and Rajat Patidar performances in the crunch situations
3: Maxwell's form and Harshal's record against CSK's skipper and middle-order anchor Raydu
Shortcomings:
1: Succumbing under pressure
2: Virat's form and strike rate
3: Lack of companion in death bowling for Harshal Patel.
Way forward: Try to win small crucial moments in the game and have plans for tense situations,in the previous encounter of both these teams,Rcb looked clue less against on slaught of Dubey and Robin.
Worst that can happen: Next saala cup namde.
Probable XI: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik(w), Shahbaz Ahmed, Mahipal Lomror, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj and Josh Hazlewood.
Head-to-head: RCB have won only nine out of 29 matches against CSK. Since 2018, RCB have won 2 and lost 7 versus the Chennai franchise.
When: May 4, 2022 at 19.30 PM IST
Where: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Disney + Hotstar
Pitch Report:
Although the previous game at the MCA Stadium saw 391 runs being scored between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings, the pitch did offer ample turn for the spinners. A similar sort of surface is expected today as well, enticing batters to bide their time and shift gears in the middle overs. The shorter square boundaries could make or break the game for either team, with a change of pace being key. Both teams will look to chase upon winning the toss, with the dew factor likely to come into play in the second innings.
Dream 11 Team:
