IPL 2024 begins with the resumption of the rivalry between CSK and RCB at Chepauk on March 22. Chennai Super Kings are the champions of the last season and won the IPL title for the fifth time.
CSK and Mumbai Indians are the two most successful teams in the league with 10 titles between them. RCB, on the other hand, is still looking for its first IPL title. Recently, RCB women won the WPL breaking the deadlock of their trophyless rain.
A day before the match, MS Dhoni resigned as CSK captain. He was replaced by Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been a consistent scorer and batting mainstay for the team since IPL 2020.
RCB, on the other hand, changed their name from Royal Challengers Bangalore to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, keeping in sync with the city’s name. Virat Kohli is back in the franchise after staying away from the game for almost two months. He is spearheading RCB’s campaign as they look to win their first title.
Meanwhile, as is the norm every year, Star Sports’ panel of experts and commentators chose their four finalists. Players like Steve Smith, Daye Steyn, Tom Moddy, Irfan Pathan, Murali Vijay and S Sreesanth were the ones who picked their top four teams.
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Star Sports expert panel chooses IPL 2024 Top 4
Top 4 Legends Predictions on Star Sports for IPL 2024:
Smith – MI, LSG, DC, CSKSteyn – SRH, CSK, MIT Moody – MI, SRH, LSG, RRIrfan – MI, CSK, LSG, KKRRayudu – CSK, KKR, RCB, MIVijay – MI, CSK, RR, RCBSreesanth – CSK , RR, MI, GT pic.twitter.com/Ja87Lios2i
—Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 22, 2024
Steve Smith chose MI, LSG, DC and CSK to start the discussion. Meanwhile, former SRH coach Tom Moody predicted that MI, SRH, LSG and RR would be his top four teams. Former SRH bowling coach Dayle Steyn predicted that only three teams would make it to the last four – SRH, CSK and MI. He wasn’t sure about the fourth team. Between Rayudu, Irfan and Murali Vijay, CSK was the common franchise.
However, none of the experts named Punjab Kings as one of their options for the last four. The team reached the finals only once in 2014. Since then, the Kings have consistently finished sixth or lower in the points table. Shikhar Dhawan, who has been one of the top scorers in the league since IPL 2020, will lead them once we win this season. They will play in a new stadium at Mullanpur Stadium in Chandigarh.
Over the years, the franchise has tried everything over the last 16 years to win the title, but nothing has worked in its favor. From changing captain almost every season to changing support staff, change has been the only constant for Puinjab Kings, but nothing positive has come of it so far.
MS Dhoni resigns as CSK captain ahead of IPL 2024 first match
MS Dhoni’s resignation as CSK captain has been in the news since Thursday. CSK coach Stephen Fleming said it was an emotional moment for everyone in the dressing room when MS Dhoni “broke the news”.
“(When Dhoni broke the news) there were a lot of emotions. A lot of tears. There wasn’t a dry eye in the locker room. Everyone was moved. Last time (when CSK changed captain) we were not so prepared for the MS move and a change in leadership. There was also a round of congratulations to Ruturaj. He’s not the most vocal person, but he has qualities to guide us in the right direction,” Fleming said.
Also Read: RCB Playing 11 vs CSK- IPL 2024, Match 1