IPL 2024, Match 68: RCB vs CSK IPL Records and Stats at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

An all-important winner-takes-all clash beckons as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) get set to host Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in both of their last league stage match of IPL 2024. Only one spot is remaining in the playoffs of IPL 2024 and these two teams are the only ones in contention for it. 

In their last match, CSK cruised to a rather easy win against RR. On a slow afternoon pitch, RR never got going and Riyan Parag was the only batter who put up a performance. CSK were never in trouble during the chase. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad held up one end while Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Shivam Dube lent support. Amid CSK's chase, drama spruced up as Ravindra Jadeja became the third batter in IPL history to be given out obstructing the field. 

On the same evening, RCB took on DC in Bengaluru in the former's latest match. RCB started aggressively in the powerplay with Virat Kohli going all guns blazing. Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar, with the latter scoring a fifty, picked off from there until, Ishant Sharma, Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed brought DC back into the game. Cameron Green held up one end but RCB only managed 78 runs in the last 10 overs losing 7 wickets, but the damage was already done. Delhi Capitals had lost 4 wickets in the powerplay and despite a fifty from stand-in skipper Axar Patel, DC could not go all the way. 

The reverse fixture between these sides at Chennai was the first match of IPL 2024. On an untypically flat Chennai surface, Faf du Plessis started strongly, but RCB lost their way until Anuj Rawat and Dinesh Karthik put up a recovery that ultimatley was not enough. Rachin Ravindra started very strongly for CSK and with little bits of support from all the other batters, CSK were home with 8 balls to spare. 

The winner of this clash will be the one booking their spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs. But RCB have a harder task than CSK to accomplish. A simple win or even a washout will see CSK qualify and RCB eliminated. RCB while winning, will also have to be mindful of the margin they win by if they are to leave CSK behind and qualify for the playoffs. 

Check Here: IPL Orange Cap 2024

M Chinnaswamy Stadium Pitch Report

Even with its reputation for being a batter's paradise, the surface here in this year's IPL has been unpredictable, swinging from flat to not-so-flat every other match, and with a rain threat looming, the surface may help the bowlers as seen in the last two matches here. The conditions of the atmosphere may also help in the movement of the ball. 

Check Here: RCB vs CSK Live Score, Match 68

IPL Stats & Records at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

40 matches out of 94 here have been won batting first. The average first innings total here is 167. 4 matches have ended in a no result. 

RCB vs CSK Strategies & Match-ups:

The rainy conditions will provide early help to the bolwers, so both teams should look to capitalise on that. While it is difficult to predict if the pitch will actually be slow, and indication that the spinners will come in looks strong. Going hard at the start can be very effective. The important match-ups for this match are: Ravindra Jadeja vs Virat Kohli, Maheesh Theekshana vs Rajat Patidar, Mitchell Santner vs Glenn Maxwell, Yash Dayal vs Rachin Ravindra, Karn Sharma vs Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni vs Mohammed Siraj.

Check Here: RCB vs CSK Dream11 Prediction,

Player Battles to Watch Out For:

Virat Kohli vs Ravindra Jadeja:

Kohli has scored 144 runs with three dismissals at an average of 48 against Jadeja. These runs though, have come slowly at a strike rate of 104.34 from 138 balls. In the middle overs, this could be a good way to tie down both RCB and Kohli. 

MS Dhoni vs Mohammed Siraj:

RCB are under pressure to be mindful of the margin that they win by in order to qualify to the playoffs. Whether bowling first or second, the death overs are a very crucial phase that RCB need to be miserly at. The one person with the best chance to ruin that for RCB is MS Dhoni, whose last over sixes have been ruling the roost this year. And at the death, he will be up against Mohammed Siraj. Dhoni has a good record against Siraj, scoring 51 runs in 28 balls at a strike rate of 182.14 without ever being dismissed. If Dhoni can get a few hits in at the death, then RCB can be in a lot of trouble. 

Check Here: IPL Purple Cap 2024

X-Factors for RCB vs CSK:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru:

The pitch might slow down and bring the spinners into play. And CSK boast of one of the best spin attacks in the tournament. RCB's best bet to countering that is Rajat Patidar. Even though Patidar's highest score this season is just 55, he has scored 5 fifties in his last innings, all of them in under 30 balls. His aggressive outlook against spin will be what RCB need. 

Chennai Super Kings:

Shivam Dube enjoys a very good record against RCB, and will be willing to get back to usual business after a little rough patch in the tournament. He will also hope to get in some batting form ahead of the playoffs as well.