With minimal preparation time, Chennai Super Kings face off against one of the most consistent teams in recent years.
Overview
Could this be MS Dhoni’s last home match in the IPL? Last year, he battled through a severe knee injury, and this year, he’s been dealing with side strains and other discomforts. Despite these challenges, he’s delivered some classic moments. However, CSK finds themselves in a tight spot, fighting for a spot in the playoffs.
Ideally, they’d aim to win both of their remaining games. However, their next match offers little time for preparation and is against one of the strongest teams in recent years. While RR may not have a title to their name, they’ve been the most consistent team since 2022. Moreover, they’ve won each of their last four encounters against CSK. A key factor in their dominance has been their spinners, especially R Ashwin, who understands Chepauk’s dynamics well. Given that this is an afternoon game, spin is likely to play a crucial role.
Team Updates and Key Players Strategy
Chennai Super Kings
Throughout this season, CSK has persisted with Ajinkya Rahane, despite his current struggle with form. Now, as the crucial matches approach, they find themselves with a dilemma. Dropping Rahane could be risky, especially considering the importance of the opener’s role. However, they could consider promoting Daryl Mitchell and slotting Sameer Rizvi in the lower order for some quick runs.
Probable Playing XII:
- Rachin Ravindra
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain)
- Daryl Mitchell
- Shivam Dube
- Moeen Ali
- Ravindra Jadeja
- MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper)
- Mitchell Santner
- Shardul Thakur
- Tushar Deshpande
- Simarjeet Singh
Rajasthan Royals
The attendance of Donovan Ferreira at the pre-match press conference suggests that he might be included in the XI again. This hints at Shimron Hetmyer possibly not being fully match-fit yet, especially considering his involvement with the West Indies squad for the T20 World Cup in June. Another dilemma for RR is choosing between Rovman Powell, who might struggle on a spinning pitch, and Keshav Maharaj, who strengthens the bowling lineup but shortens the batting order.
Probable Playing XII:
- Jos Buttler
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Sanju Samson (captain & wicketkeeper)
- Riyan Parag
- Shubham Dubey
- Donovan Ferreira
- Rovman Powell/Keshav Maharaj
- R Ashwin
- Avesh Khan
- Trent Boult
- Sandeep Sharma
- Yuzvendra Chahal
Recent Track Record
Chennai Super Kings [CSK] :[ L , W , L , W , L]
Rajasthan Royals [RR] :[ L , L , W , W , W]
In the limelight
With the anticipation of a slow pitch, batsmen who can handle such conditions become pivotal. Shivam Dube perfectly fits the bill. His impressive reach and power make him a threat, capable of dispatching good deliveries over the boundary. Opposing teams often try to shield their spinners when he’s at the crease, but Rajasthan Royals won’t shy away. They boast quality in their bowling attack.
Yuzvendra Chahal has earned his place back in India’s T20I team with a flurry of wickets. In an era where even spinners are expected to bowl with pace, Chahal has adapted, occasionally touching speeds of 95kph. However, he still relies on his traditional, looping leg-breaks, which can deceive batsmen into big shots that often end up as catches on the boundary. While his form has dipped slightly in recent games , it’s worth noting that three of these matches were held in high-scoring venues like Delhi, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. The conditions in Chennai might favor him better.
Pitch Conditions and Statistics
Since the end of 2019, there have been only four day games in Chennai, with three of them favoring the chasing team. In two of these matches, the team batting first struggled to reach totals above 140, indicating difficulties with the pitch. However, as evening approaches, batting becomes easier.
Important Stats:
- The battle between Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja is one to watch, with Samson scoring 73 runs off 52 balls but being dismissed three times.
- Although Dhoni may not spend much time at the crease, his strategic cameo appearances have been effective. He boasts the highest strike rate (227) of any batsman during the first five balls of an innings this season.
- Ravichandran Ashwin has a strong record against CSK, winning eight out of the 11 matches he’s played against them and taking 13 wickets at an economy rate of 7.75.
- Jos Buttler faces tough T20 match-ups, especially against Mitchell Santner (80 runs off 70 balls, one dismissal), Moeen Ali (74 off 51, with five dismissals), and potentially Maheesh Theekshana if CSK include him in the lineup.
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