The Chennai Super Kings started off their IPL 2020 campaign with an impressive win over defending champs Mumbai Indians. They looked the relatively weaker side, however, with proper management of resources they were able to defeat Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets.
Today they will welcome another set of men in blue as Rajasthan Royals will begin their campaign. Royals will have a daunting task ahead of them. However, it will be interesting to see how they will manage their newly forged team.
Chennai Super Kings
Super Kings seemed the relatively weaker side in the absence of Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina. However, captain cool MSD had many tricks up his sleeve as per managing his resources. As we covered earlier, Faf Du Plessis played an anchor role to compensate for Raina’s absence. Harbhajan’s place was filled by an equally matched, Piyush Chawla.
Both of them did a phenomenal job in their respective departments. Ambati Rayadu looked in sublime touch and scored 71 off just 48 balls. MSD played a clever strategy of promoting left-handers Ravindra Jadeja and young Sam Curran to nullify left-handed Krunal Pandya. Their cameo’s were enough to take CSK home.
Rajasthan Royals
The management has made some radical changes in the team management that have made it more T20 specific. Jos Buttler would have beeen an important asset, accompanied by the young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal, but Buttler won’t be available today due to COVID-19 quarantine rules. There has also been a question mark on Ben Stokes’ availability, therefore, the middle-order will be lead by Steve Smith.
The bowling order, on the other hand, comprises of leg-spinners Shreyas Gopal and Rahul Tewatia. Royals have opted for many T20 specific seam bowling options like Tom Curran, Jaydev Unadkat, and Andrew Tye. The attack will be led by Jofra Archer.
Fantasy XI team
AMBATI RAYADU (9) – Ambati Rayadu is coming off a well-made 71 of just 48 balls. He will look to continue from where he left.
FAF DU PLESSIS (9) (C) – Du Plessis is coming off a match-winning fifty as well. In the absence of Suresh Raina, he’s expected to play more like an anchor depending upon the situation. He will be my captain.
SHANE WATSON (9.5) – Watson failed in the last match, however, we’ll still give him a chance.
STEVE SMITH (9.5) – Smith has struggled to make his mark as a T20 batsman. However, we all know how dangerous he can be.
SANJU SAMSON (8.5) – Samson has been really flexible for RR throughout the years. He can open in the absence of Buttler and handle middle-order in the absence of Stokes as well.
YASHASVI JAISWAL (8) – Jaiswal has handled the pressure really well. He can do it this time around as well as he makes his much-anticipated IPL debut.
RAVINDRA JADEJA (8.5) – Jadeja bowled really good in the last match and scored a quickfire cameo as well.
SAM CURRAN (8.5) (VC) – Curran bowled really well and also scored a match-winning cameo. Dhoni likes the idea of promoting him depending upon the situation. He’ll therefore be my vice-captain.
PIYUSH CHAWLA (8.5) – Chawla looked really good in the last match as well.
SHREYAS GOPAL (8.5) – Gopal is a really underrated leg-spinner and can bat as well.
JOFRA ARCHER (9.0) – Archer is one of the best bowlers out of the current lot. It will be interesting to see him.
PREDICTION
Keeping in mind the way CSK performed in their last match against MI, they will probably get the job done this around as well.
Do check out:
