The CSK vs RCB game marks the start of IPL 2024 in Chennai on March 22, starting at 8 pm IST. It’s the 17th season of the league. MS Dhoni is back to captain Chennai Super Kings, while Faf du Plessis, his former teammate, leads Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kohli and Faf were big scorers in the last IPL season.
CSK VS RCB: Chennai Super Kings
CSK picked up six players at the IPL 2024 auction. They are Rachin Ravindra (bought for Rs. 1.8 crore), Shardul Thakur (Rs. 4 crore), Daryl Mitchell (Rs. 14 crore), Sameer Rizvi (Rs. 8.40 crore), Mustafizur Rahman (Rs. 2 crore), and Avanish Rao (Rs. 20 lakh). They aimed to have backups for some players.
But, they faced a setback as Devon Conway will miss the initial phase of IPL 2024 due to a thumb injury. He also missed the Australia Tests before IPL. Despite this, CSK’s bowling department looks strong. As they play their first match at home, they’ll rely on their spinners to deliver.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB grabbed seven players during the IPL 2024 auction to bolster their bowling lineup. They spent big on players like Alzarri Joseph (Rs. 11.50 crore), Yash Dayal (Rs. 5 crore), Tom Curran (Rs. 1.5 crore), Lockie Ferguson (Rs. 2 crore), Swapnil Singh (Rs. 20 lakhs), and Saurav Chauhan (Rs. 20 lakh).
But, their bowling issues persist, especially with no established Indian spinner in the squad after releasing Yuzvendra Chahal before IPL 2022 and letting go of Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga before the IPL 2024 auction. The pressure now falls on the batsmen, particularly on Kohli, Faf, and Maxwell, to rack up the runs.
Key Factors to Watch Out For:
Pitch Conditions:
Cricket fans know that the Chepauk stadium has a slow pitch that benefits spin bowlers. CSK’s spinners will enjoy bowling here, but RCB’s lack of strong spin options could be crucial. In the past, the venue has hosted 76 IPL matches, with teams batting first winning 46 times and teams batting second winning 30 times.
Form and Fitness:
Terms of batting, how well Kohli and Faf perform will be crucial for RCB. Without Devon Conway, CSK will rely on Ruturaj Gaikwad’s form. As for fitness, Devon Conway won’t be playing in the first phase of IPL 2024 due to a thumb fracture. As of now, we haven’t heard that any important RCB player won’t be playing this season.
Tactical Acumen:
MS Dhoni has been good at winning games as CSK captain at the Chepauk stadium. He knows the conditions there well and picks his players. The players also follow his lead. Faf, who played alongside MSD for ten years, should understand his way of thinking if he wants to outsmart his former captain.
In Conclusion:
With a historical stronghold at Chepauk, CSK holds a significant advantage over RCB, who have struggled at this venue. The challenge for RCB lies in breaching CSK’s fortress, a feat achieved rarely in the past. As the two giants collide in this epic battle, fans brace themselves for an exhilarating start to the IPL 2024 season.
