IPL 2018: Match 24, RCB vs CSK, Preview: Sporting Chinnaswamy wicket awaits for the clash of clans

The much-awaited dream clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season is here. The former and current Indian captains will stack up against each other when Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday. A lot of superstars going around in world cricket will be in action as entertainment is guaranteed for the cricket fans. However, the hosts would hope that prevail in the high-octane encounter and continue their winning momentum which they gained against the Daredevils.

Virat Kohli and his men would’ve been going through the same phase like last year if not for a couple of special knocks from AB de Villiers which have won them the games. RCB will need a team effort to trump the in-form side which is on a roll and are keen on winning every game. The bowling has to be up to the mark as well which has more often found wanting in demanding conditions and a disciplined outing is needed for them at any cost. The batting line-up is strong enough and there is no worry in that department for them.

CSK, on the other hand, are sitting pretty at the second position in the points table and a win in this game would take them to the top. Though they have been facing a lot of injury and off the field issues, MS Dhoni has managed to bring the best out of his players during the game. They’ve found match-winners in every game with little contributions from their gun players Dhoni and Suresh Raina. Undoubtedly, they are being tipped as favourites for this clash based on current form.

But the team like RCB is extremely dangerous and a player like AB de Villiers can change the game on its head on any given day. A mouth-watering encounter awaits everyone as a lot of fours and sixes are expected to be hit on a Stadium with small boundaries.

Toss: CSK won the toss and elected to field first

Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Virat Kohli(c), AB de Villiers, Mandeep Singh, Corey Anderson, Colin de Grandhomme, Washington Sundar, Pawan Negi, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Sam Billings, MS Dhoni(w/c), Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Imran Tahir

Changes:

Pawan Negi replaces Manan Vohra, Colin de Grandhomme is playing in place of Chris Woakes.

Karn Sharma and Faf du Plessis make way for Harbhajan and Imran Tahir.

Team Combinations

Royal Challengers Bangalore

They are coming off a resounding victory against Delhi and the confidence will be high in the change room. Quinton de Kock looked like regaining some form in the last match and should come out all guns blazing. The middle order has been ever so strong with Kohli, De Villiers and Corey Anderson even as Mandeep Singh can also tonk the ball a fair way. The bowlers have been good in patches and you never know which Umesh Yadav is going to turn up on the day.

The spinners Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal will test the CSK line-up and RCB’s death bowling will under the scanner yet again.

Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni rarely believes in changing the winning XI and apart from last minute injuries, an unchanged team will face RCB in their den. Faf du Plessis needs another chance at the top as it might be his day to win the game for his side. The likes of Raina, Rayudu, Watson all are in form and never ignore Dhoni at 5 who is regaining his lost touch and in last game itself tonked the ball a long way soon after coming in to bat. Billings and Bravo are the able finishers in the line-up and the batting goes on for the visitors.

There is a little worry on the bowling front, but there are enough options for Dhoni to cover up and has managed his bowlers well so far.

Focus will be on

Virat Kohli (RCB)

The skipper of the team, Virat Kohli, is due a big knock and what better than playing it against one of the best teams in the tournament? His form was never in question after his 92-run knock against Mumbai which came in a losing cause. Kohli needs to win a game on his own now to set the ball rolling for his team. Even he will thrilled to play against MS Dhoni whom he respects a lot. His character will be tested though as his opposition counterpart every little thing about him.

Shane Watson (CSK)

It goes without saying that RCB is already hurting that the players which they released are rocking the stage this season. One of them is Shane Watson who has smacked a sensational century recently and is in amazing form with the bat. He will be wanting to prove a point by playing another match-winning knock against his previous team. He will be surely fired up and itching to make a significant contribution to CSK’s cause in any which ways possible.

Head to Head

Played- 20, Royal Challengers Bangalore – 7, Chennai Super Kings – 12, NR-  1

Stat Attack

706 – Virat Kohli has scored 706 runs against CSK which are the most for any player.

Broadcast details

TV– Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Jalsha (Bengali), Star Maa Movies (Telegu), Star Sports Tamil

Online– Hotstar & YuppTv

Match Timings: 20:00 IST, 14:30 GMT

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