RR vs CSK: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Stats, Pitch Report & more for Dream11 IPL, Match 4

Chennai Super Kings will look to make it two on two, whereas the Rajasthan Royals would want to start on a high.

Published - 21 Sept 2020, 20:31 IST | Updated - 21 Sept 2020, 20:31 IST

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The Rajasthan Royals (RR) will be up against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the fourth game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. The latter side is coming after trumping the arch-rivals and defending champions Mumbai Indians, whereas, for the Royals, this will be the tournament opener.

MS Dhoni’s army did not break a sweat in a chase of 163 courtesy twin half-centuries from Ambati Rayudu and Faf du Plessis. CSK has been a team of substance, and one needs to admit that the ease with which they approached the opening game despite a flurry of setbacks. No Suresh Raina? A supremely underrated Ambati Rayudu was up and running. No Harbhajan Singh? Piyush Chawla stood up for the job. Rusty openers? The middle-order fired. Within an XI, whose average age is over 31 and with most of the players retired from the international arena, CSK did well to outsmart and look smoother than their adversaries to open their tally with a couple of points.

On the other hand are the Rajasthan Royals, who had a high in the inaugural season of the IPL and have not been able to flow ever since. Five wins in fourteen games – that is what the Royals managed in the last season. It took a change of leadership to get those five as RR changed captain midway through the season. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane looked wanting with not just the bat, but his tactical bluntness caused his team to suffer five losses in six games before Steve Smith was given the charge.

This year, the Royals’ squad looked intimidating with the likes of Jos Buttler, Smith, Ben Stokes, and Jofra Archer. However, for now, with Ben Stokes missing on account of personal reasons, an unfillable void is created in their XI. The story would have been scarier had skipper Smith – who took a blow on his head during practice before the first ODI between England and Australia and had to miss the entire series – not been available to lead them.

The news of his fitness comes as a massive respite for the franchise, and they would hope that he could emulate his skippering performance from the last year throughout this season.

Pitch and conditions

Contrary to the expectations of the pitch being slow and low, the pacers have been able to shine bright with the ball. The track – with a noticeable grass cover – is certainly not a belter, however, there is ample in it for the batsmen who have applied themselves. Going by what has been on offer, the strip has not been lacking bounce one bit and anything pitched on length or short has taken off rather well.

The torrid weather of the UAE has kept players sweating and the conditions are going to stay the same. There will be a slight bit of dew in the later part and the team chasing will have an edge.

Playing Combinations for CSK vs RR

Rajasthan Royals Probable 11

RR has a top-heavy lineup and is up with a plethora of openers. The trading of Rahane to the Delhi Capitals for Mayank Markande and Rahul Tewatia could come in handy for them as this has strengthened their spin column. They have invested heavily in youth this year with getting the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Kartik Tyagi inside. However, their middle-order is, therefore, largely untested.

Having said that, Robin Uthappa’s experience can work well for them this year. In Stokes’ absence, they will be more than happy to play the flamboyant David Miller, who will be crucial alongside Sanju Samson and skipper Smith in the middle-order. Shreyas Gopal has performed well for the team in the last two seasons. Englishman Tom Curran and Jofra Archer will be in action alongside one in Ankit Rajpoot or Jaydev Unadkat.

Probable XI- Robin Uthappa, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Steve Smith (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Riyan Parag, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Tom Curran, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Ankit Rajpoot/Jaydev Unadkat

Chennai Super Kings Probable 11

The openers failed to make a mark in the first game, however, the kind of batsmen Murali Vijay and Shane Watson are, it is a matter of one knock for them to get going. In Raina’s absence, the duty at No. 3 was given to Faf du Plessis, and he certainly impressed along with Ambati Rayudu in the first game.

Sam Curran was a breath of fresh air, as he performed well with both bat and ball, however, surprisingly, Ravindra Jadeja went expensive with the ball. Lungi Ngidi was the pick as he bagged three wickets, whereas Chawla bowled an economic spell. CSK unexpectedly benched veteran Imran Tahir, who was magnificent during this year’s CPL. However, they are expected to go unchanged, and Tahir’s inclusion looks unlikely.

Probable 11- Murali Vijay, Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni (C & WK), Kedar Jadhav, Deepak Chahar, Piyush Chawla, Lungi Ngidi