The Match No. 35 is scheduled to be played between the two teams in what is called as a ‘Southern Derby’ of the Indian Premier League. Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings is always a match that excites many viewers as the two teams are full of key players with two stalwarts of Indian Cricket captaining their respective sides.
Recent Form:
RCB
Virat’s RCB are sitting pretty in the top 4 (at no.3) of the points table just below CSK, but that isn’t the clear representation of their recent form in the league. Even though they began this years IPL with a bang by winning 4 out of 4, RCB come into this match with series of low performances as they have managed to win only 1 out of the 4 games after the initial success.
RCB’s previous game against KKR was a one-sided affair. The Royal Challengers were bowled out for a mere 92 runs as the opponents chased down the target in 10 overs. Their squad promises a lot every year and yet they somehow manage to put out a below par performance every now-and-then.
CSK
The Super Kings sit atop of the table at no.2 just below the Delhi Capitals with 6 wins out of 8 games played till now. The Men in Yellow have turned around their fortunes in 2021 as compared to a disaster of a season which they had in the previous year at UAE.
CSK also begun the phase 2 of IPL 2021 with a bang managing a convincing win over the 5 times champions Mumbai Indians on the back of sensational rearguard act by Ruturaj Gaikwad and a calm head behind the stumps from their captain. Even though many players were away from cricket for a long time, this team somehow manages to put up performances that are enough for securing a victory based on their experience.
Previous RCB-CSK Encounter:
Virat’s Men had a day to forget when they lost their previous CSK encounter owing to spectacular one man’s show by Ravindra Jadeja who had a field day against an in-form RCB team.
On the back of a 37 run over against RCB’s leading wicket taker, Jadeja scored 62* of just 28 balls where he smashed 5 sixes of Harshal Patel to finish the CSK innings (191-4) on a high. RCB succumbed in the chase (122-9) where the all-rounder’s bowling figures read 4-1-13-3 as he also scalped a run-out.
Bright Side:
RCB
Even though the team consist of many stalwarts in Kohli-Abd-Maxwell, the likes of Paddikal-Harshal-Siraj have impressed this season and RCB will be hoping for a collective team performance to defeat the in-form Chennai Super Kings.
They have also bolstered their team with the inclusion of Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who will be eager to perform well if given the opportunity along with their ace spinner Yuzi Chahal.
CSK
The Super Kings batting performances have been the best by any team in this season. Even in the two games that they have lost against DC and MI, they managed to score 188 and 219 respectively.
Ruturaj-Faf-Mooen’s batting form and Deepak Chahar’s opening spells with the bowl have been pivotal for CSK’s good run in the IPL this year.
Worries and Opportunities:
RCB
As far as Kohli is concerned, every day is a new opportunity for him whether you are in form or not. Thus, RCB won’t look much into the worries and will rather focus on the opportunities ahead.
Virat’s run against CSK is second to none and he will be eager to hit the stage running. Glenn Maxwell will be eager to right the wrongs from the previous innings against the side who almost outbid RCB at the auction.
A win will take RCB onto 12 points besides CSK.
CSK
Even though CSK as a team have been batting pretty well this season, their two prime batsmen are yet to come to the party. Suresh Raina looked out of sorts against pace and bounce in the previous innings and he would be eager to put his hand up and play in the manner that earned him the tag of Mr. IPL. Also, Dhoni himself will be hoping to give an impactful performance with the bat against the team he has had most success.
Dhoni will also hope for a solid performance from other bowlers along with in-form Deepak Chahar.
A win will mean CSK jumps to the top of the table with 14 points.
Match Info:
Match No. 35 (RCB v CSK)
Date - Sept 24, Friday
Time - 7:30 pm IST
Venue – Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Venue & Pitch Info:
Sharjah is set to host 10 games in the second phase of IPL 2021. The matches played at this venue in the first half of the IPL 2020 saw some high scoring games. With the pitch being fresh, it will aid the batsmen as the boundary sizes on the ground are also smaller than the average.
Team News:
RCB
Mohammed Azharuddeen, who had good amount of keeping and batting drills in the practice sessions might come in the playing XI. Virat might also consider stepping at his usual no.3 position if he is to play one down in the upcoming WC for India.
CSK
Ambati Rayudu looks recovered from the blow and should retain his place in the XI. The only likely change seems to be the inclusion of Sam Curran who is out of quarantine and might come in place of Dwyane Bravo as a tactical replacement.
Stat Alert:
- Virat Kohli is the highest run scorer against CSK with 895 runs.
- MS Dhoni is the highest run scorer against RCB with 825 runs.
- Mohammed Siraj needs 4 wickets for 100 T20 wickets and 5 wickets for 50 IPL wickets.
- Virat Kohli needs another 66 runs to complete 10000 T20 runs.
- CSK has chased 200+ totals twice against RCB, highest for a team against an opposition.
- Win% while chasing 180 or more in IPL -
47% CSK
38% KKR
34% DC
29% PBKS
29% MI
27% RR
25% SRH
18% RCB
- Head to Head – CSK 17 : RCB 9
Probable XI
RCB
Devdutt Padikkal, KS Bharat, Virat Kohli (c), Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villers, Mohammed Azharuddeen (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Kyle Jameison, H Patel, M Siraj, Yuzi Chahal
CSK
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran/Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazelwood.
Dream XI
