CSK vs RCB Preview: The context
In this article, we will look at the CSK vs RCB Preview, the probable 11, the match prediction and the head to head.
In the 25th match of IPL 2020, Chennai Super Kings(CSK) take on the Royals from the south(RCB). It is Chennai who need a win desperately in this South Indian derby, having won just two games from their 5 games while RCB has 3 wins from as many games.
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Both the teams are coming into this match having lost their last game. While RCB were beaten comprehensively by the Capitals, CSK have only themsleves to blame in their 10 runs loss against KKR.
Middle order muddle
Our CSK vs RCB match preview has Faf Du Plessis as one of the key players. He has been in staggering form in IPL 2020.
CSK coach Stephen Fleming stressed the need for one of their batters to bat through the innings in the post match press conference. That could very well dictate CSK’s game plan in this match against RCB. In general Faf Du Plessis has played the anchor role holding one end together and every one batting around him.
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The bowling department and the top order for CSK looks settled for now, it is their middle order which poses some serious questions. It would be interesting to see how CSK utilizes the West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo who, after his return from injury, has seen CSK lose two games without him getting a chance to bat.
Finding consistency
Royal Challengers despite the 3 wins have some thinking to do as well. While their bowling has been much more reliable this season, it is their batting which has let them down. The inconsistent batting returns is evident from the two heavy defeats so far which has seen them lose by 97 & 59 runs.
Chris Morris is almost certain to feature in the playing 11 at the expense of Moeen Ali. His inclusion will provide a much needed boost to their lower order in addition to his skills bowling with the new ball and at the death. With a bowling attack which now boasts of Saini, Chahal, Morris, Udana and the in-form Sundar, RCB would hope to coumpond CSK’s batting woes.
Chris Morris had a good Big Bash League 2020, where he was the second-highest wicket taker with 22 wickets in the tournament. He had a bowling average of 19.36 and an economy rate of 8.01. RCB will hope that he can solve their death-bowling woes.
Head to head: 15-8 in favour of CSK
Last five: 4-1 CSK
CSK vs RCB Preview: Possible XI’s
CSK: Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Faf du Plessis, MS Dhoni (C)(WK), Sam Curran, Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Karn Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.
RCB: Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Washington Sundar, Isuru Udana, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal.
From the press conference
We’ve got a lot of batsmen so the balance is good with six bowlers. Bravo is batting at No. 8 and we are struggling to use him so we don’t think an extra batsman is going to help, Sam Curran was also very good. Our challenge is that our two allrounders are going very well, Watson and Faf are doing well, so it’s very hard to fit in an international bowler in that group. We are relying heaving on our Indian bowlers. We’ve got a pretty good balance.
Stephen Fleming (CSK head coach)
Stat attack
• Faf Du Plessis needs 62 runs more to 2000 runs for CSK
• Rayudu is 7 runs away from completing 1000 runs for CSK
CSK vs RCB Preview: Prediction
Given their lack of momentum and inconsistency, it is tricky to pick one clear favourite in this clash. Unless CSK’s top three delivers again it’s just difficult to even imagine a CSK win at the moment.
RCB to edge out CSK and bag the 2 points.
We hope you enjoyed our CSK vs RCB Preview.
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