The 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will kick off with an exciting match between the reigning champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on March 22 (Friday). In an unexpected move, MS Dhoni relinquished the captaincy of CSK to Ruturaj Gaikwad on the eve of the opening match, sparking further speculation about his potential IPL retirement at the end of the season.
Before this thrilling match, here’s your comprehensive guide to CSK vs RCB, head-to-head, pitch report, Fantasy 11 Prediction, top player selections and probable playing 11s:
CSK vs RCB Head-To-Head Record
In the 31 encounters between the two teams, the Chennai Super Kings have asserted dominance, securing victory in 20 matches, while one ended in no result. Conversely, Royal Challengers Bangalore have won 10 matches. In their most recent five encounters, CSK hold a commanding 4-1 lead.
Pitch Report For CSK vs RCB, IPL 2024
The MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch in Chennai is known to favor spinners, particularly as the match progresses. While batting can be relatively easier during the powerplay overs, spinners tend to come into play and dominate as the game unfolds. Therefore, teams batting first often have an advantage on this pitch, as setting a target and utilizing spinners effectively can be crucial for success.
Top Fantasy 11 Picks For CSK vs RCB, IPL 2024:
Wicket-keeper: MS Dhoni
– MS Dhoni boasts an impressive record at this venue, making him the top wicket-keeper pick for today’s match.
Batters: Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis
– Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad are key batsmen picks for their consistent performances. Faf du Plessis is another strong option, especially with his form in IPL 2023 matches.
All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Rachin Ravindra, Ravindra Jadeja
– Glenn Maxwell and Rachin Ravindra are standout all-rounder picks, expected to contribute significantly with both bat and ball. Ravindra Jadeja is another solid choice, known for his all-round capabilities.
Bowlers: Mohammad Siraj, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur
– Mohammad Siraj and Deepak Chahar are top bowler picks with their decent records. Shardul Thakur is also a valuable addition to the team, having performed well in previous head-to-head matches.
Captain And Vice-captain Choices:
– Rachin Ravindra: With his recent form and expected contributions with both bat and ball, Ravindra is a strong captain option.
– Glenn Maxwell: Maxwell’s prowess for RCB and the supportive pitch conditions make him an ideal vice-captain choice.
Fantasy 11 Team:
Wicket-keeper: MS Dhoni
Batters: Ruturaj Gaikwad, D Mitchell, Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis
All-rounders: Rachin Ravindra, Cameron Green, Ravindra Jadeja, Glenn Maxwell
Bowlers: Mohammad Siraj, Deepak Chahar
CSK vs RCB, IPL 2024 Probable Playing 11
CSK Playing 11: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Mustafizur Rahman
RCB Playing 11: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mahipal Lomror, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Siraj, Karn Sharma, Akash Deep