Chepauk is all set to host the opening match of the CSK vs RCB IPL 2024 campaign on Friday, March 22. The match starts at 8 pm and kicks off the 17th season of the Indian Premier League. Chennai Super Kings is led by MS Dhoni, who is involved in another season of IPL. There are reports that this could be the last and hence the CSk captain will be going for his seventh IPL title.
CSK bought six players in the IPL 2024 auction. Almost strategically, they bought the likes of Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra and it was a homecoming of sorts for Shardul Thakur. Sameer Rizvi, with Rs 8.40 crore, is seen as the right-handed version of Suresh Raina. In a tough blow, CSK will be without Devon Conway for the first phase of the tournament.
RCB with their selections in the IPL 2024 auction has tried to address their bowling concerns. They chose Alzarri Joseph, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal and Tom Curran among their selections. They released Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of IPL 2022 and Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga ahead of IPL 2023, who were two of their key defenders last season. Harshal even won the Purple Cap in IPL 2023 for RCB.
Both the teams played just one match last year and CSK beat RCB in Bengaluru by 8 runs. Over the years, the two teams have played 31 matches, with CSK winning 20 matches and RCB 10. Conditions have dictated the conditions for the home team to win more at home than away. In the last five matches, Chennai has won four.
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CSK vs RCB Weather Report Live Today and Chepauk Stadium Pitch Report –IPL 2024 Match 1
Chennai Weather Report
Weather conditions will be warm and humid throughout the day with a high of 32 degrees with clear sunshine. Temperatures at night will be around 26 degrees with generally “clear skies” according to Weather.com. Humidity will be around 80 percent, meaning players are expected to sweat a lot. There is also a negligible chance of rain.
Tone Analysis
The pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium is generally a slow wicket which helps the spinners more than the pacers. Over the years, we’ve seen the field turn more in the second half of a night game. A total of 76 IPL games have been played at Cheppauk with 46 matches won by the team that batted first and 30 by the second.
Over 200 totals have been posted at this location, but given the conditions, a score of 160-170 may be a winning total. The spinners have enjoyed bowling here with an average of 26.8 and a good economy of 6.9, ahead of the pacers who average 29.4 with an economy of 8.0.
Impact of weather on CSK vs RCB IPL 2024 Match 1
As said earlier, the weather conditions will be hot and humid in Chennai for the opening match. The weather is expected to hold fairly well and a passing rain is expected, if at all. That should not interrupt the development of the match. Teams would like to bat first, ideally, in the first game of the season.
Conclusion
Chepauk kicks off the IPL 2024 season with Chennai Super Kings taking on RCB. The venue hosts only two matches of the first phase of the tournament. After hosting RCB on March 22, CSK played Gujarat Titans on March 26 in the second match of the season at the venue.
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