CSK vs RR: IPL 2023 Records & Stats at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

The finalists of the first edition of IPL, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Rajasthan Royals (RR) will lock horns against each other in the match number 17 of the IPL 2023 at the famous MA Chidambaram Stadium on 12th April, 2023.

Chennai Super Kings come into the contest after an emphatic win over their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians. They lost their opener against the defending champions but have managed to win the next two games, one home win against LSG and one away win against MI. Ruturaj Gaikwad has been in sublime form for CSK as he has aggregated 189 runs in as many as three games at an impressive average of 94.50 with two half-centuries and has struck at 161.54.

Ajinkya Rahane went bonkers against MI in the previous game smashing the fastest fifty in IPL 2023 but the record was broken by Nicholas Pooran who later smashed fifty in 15 balls against RCB. Moeen Ali was impressive in the bowling, as he took four wickets against LSG in their second game. Sri Lankan stars Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana are all set to return in the coming weeks and Theekshana’s return would give a good balance in the bowling department for CSK. They would look to continue the winning run.

Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, will be coming after good three games, winning two out of three matches they played as they lost against PBKS by a low margin. With two wins and a healthy net run-rate of +2.067 they are placed at the second position of the IPL points table 2023. Jos Buttler, as expected, has been the stand-out performer for RR with the bat as he has aggregated 152 runs in three matches at a staggering average of 50.67 and blistering strike rate of 180.95.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was good too with the bat as he has scored two fifties so far. In the game against Delhi he smashed five fours in the first over of the innings against Khaleel Ahmed. In the bowling department, there was seen an all-round performance as each and every bowler chipped in with wickets when needed. Chahal leads the chart with 8 wickets in three games. RR too would continue the winning run in the upcoming games.

CSK vs RR Head to Head Record:

CSK and RR have met in as many as 26 games, where CSK dominate the contest with 15 wins to RR’s 11 wins.

IPL Stats and Records at M.A Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Spinners have enjoyed bowling at this venue with an average of 27 and a good economy of 6.9, over the pace bowlers who average 29.3 with 8.0 economy. In the 68 games played at this venue, teams batting first have won 42 games compared to teams batting second, who have won 26 games. Teams winning toss have preferred batting first in this ground due to the turn that the pitch here produces. CSK have won 41 out 57 matches played at this venue, while RR have managed to win only one game at this venue out of 7 games.

CSK vs RR Strategy and Match-ups:

Ravichandran Ashwin will be the key performer for RR against CSK since he has got very good matchups against Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu and Ajinkya Rahane. Against Moeen Ali, Ashwin has picked 2 wickets and has given 51 runs in 35 balls, against Rahane he has taken four wickets for 42 runs in 36 balls and has taken Rayudu's wicket four times. With Conway opening for CSK, Samson would be tempted to use Ashwin early on in the powerplay. Another interesting contest is Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Trent Boult, as Gaikwad has been dismissed thrice by Boult in IPL and has struggled to score runs as well aggregating 22 runs from 24 balls.

Sanju Samson has struggled against Mitchell Santner, getting dismissed twice in seven balls he faced and has scored only one run against him. MS Dhoni might bring in Santner immediately after Sanju Samson walks in to bat so as to put enormous pressure on the rival skipper. With Jaiswal opening the innings, Moeen Ali would be used in powerplay by MS Dhoni, as Jaiswal has struggled against Moeen before.