The CSK vs RCB contest kicks off the IPL 2024 campaign in Chennai on March 22. The match starts at 8 pm IST. This is the 17th season of the cash-rich league.
MS Dhoni will once again lead Chennai Super Kings in yet another season of IPL. His former CSK teammate Faf du Plessis will lead Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kohli and Faf were among the top scorers in the last IPL season.
Team analysis
Chennai Super Kings
CSK brought in six players in the IPL 2024 auction, namely Rachin Ravindra (Rs. 1.8 crore), Shardul Thakur (Rs. 4 crore), Daryl Mitchell (Rs. 14 crore ), Sameer Rizvi (Rs. 8.40 crore), Mustafizur Rahman. (Rs. 2 crore), Avanish Rao Aravelly (Rs. 20 lakh).
They have tried to buy substitutes for some players. They have taken a big blow with Devon Conway missing the first phase of IPL 2024 due to a thumb injury. He also missed the Australian Tests ahead of the IPL.
They have their bowling well covered and, playing their first home match, it is their spinners who they would be confident of delivering.
Royal challengers from Bangalore
RCB brought in as many as seven players in the IPL 2024 auction who were looking to strengthen their bowling. Alzarri Joseph (Rs. 11.50 crore), Yash Dayal (Rs. 5 crore), Tom Curran (Rs. 1.5 crore), Lockie Ferguson (Rs. 2 crore), Swapnil Singh (Rs. 20 lakhs), Saurav Chauhan (Rs. 20 lakhs) but that doesn’t seem to have solved the problem.
The absence of a reputed Indian player in their ranks will increase the pressure. RCB released Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of IPL 2022 and released the likes of Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga ahead of IPL 2024 auction.
The onus will once again be on the batsmen to deliver as the top three – Kohli, Faf and Maxwell – will need to do most of the runs.
Key factors
Field conditions
The Chepauk has traditionally been a slow wicket that helps the spinners. CSK’s spinners will have a great time bowling on this wicket while the lack of efficient spinners within RCB’s setup could be a deciding factor. The venue has hosted 76 IPL matches, of which 46 were won by the team batting first and 30 by batting second.
Form and fitness
Form-wise, Kohli and Faf’s batting form will be key for RCB. In the absence of Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s form will be key for CSK.
On the fitness front, Devon Conway has been ruled out of the first phase of IPL 2024 due to a fractured thumb. There is no news of any prominent RCB player being ruled out of the season.
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Tactical insight
MS Dhoni has been a match-winning master as CSK captain at Chepauk. He has better understood Chepauk’s conditions over the years and has chosen his players accordingly. The players have also responded to the captains’ call. Faf, who played alongside MSD for a decade, should be able to understand how he thinks if he has to outsmart his former captain.
Score prediction
Team 1st innings 2nd innings Royal Challengers Bangalore 150-170 130-150 Chennai Super Kings 180-200 130-150
Recent records of the place (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai)
IPL matches played 76
Games won by hitting first 46
Matches won batting second 30
Matches won Winning pitch 39
Games Won Losing Pitching 37
1st Inns average score 150
Average rating for 2nd Inns 119
Who will score the most runs for RCB: Virat Kohli / Faf du Plessis
Who will take most wickets for RCB: Mohammed Siraj / Karn Sharma
Who will score the most runs for CSK: Ajinkya Rahane / Ruturaj Gaikwad
Who will take most wickets for CSK: Ravindra Jadeja / Deepak Chahar
Today’s CSK vs RCB Match Prediction: Who will win today’s IPL match? IPL 2024, match 1
CSK have a 20-10 head-to-head record against RCB. Playing at home, knowing the conditions better and with an astute captain like MS Dhoni, CSK has all the conditions to win this contest.
Conclusion
Historically, RCB have won only one match at Chepauk, compared to CSK’s seven. The challenge for the Bengaluru side is to break CSK’s fortress, which has not been breached often.
Also Read: Vijay Mallya challenges Virat Kohli’s RCB to win IPL after WPL triumph