In the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) will face each other in match 61 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 12.
Chennai has recorded six wins and six losses from 12 games so far. Meanwhile, Rajasthan boasts eight wins and three losses from 11 encounters. A victory in this match secures a playoffs spot for the inaugural champions.
However, the defending champions, having lost four of their last six matches, are keen to return to winning form following their defeat in the previous game against Gujarat Titans.
Read More: All the 6 Clubs Participating In The Super League Kerala
CSK vs RR: Match Preview
Could this potentially mark MS Dhoni’s final home game in the IPL? Despite playing through a severe knee injury last year and enduring side strains and other discomforts this year, Dhoni has showcased glimpses of his vintage brilliance. However, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are now facing a tough battle to secure a playoffs spot.
CSK ideally aims to win both of their remaining games, but the upcoming match offers little time for preparation and pits them against one of the most well-rounded teams in recent IPL history. Rajasthan Royals (RR), though lacking a title, have been the most consistent unit since 2022. Moreover, they have emerged victorious in each of their last four encounters against CSK. Key to their success has been the performance of their spinners, particularly R Ashwin, who possesses intimate knowledge of Chepauk’s behavior. With the match scheduled for the afternoon, spin is likely to play a crucial role.
Stephen Fleming emphasized that the current conditions at Chepauk differ significantly from what they experienced in 2019. Despite their efforts to adapt, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) struggled to grasp the nuances, resulting in a 4-3 home record last year, a deviation from their dominant performances in previous seasons. Unlike 2019 and 2015 when they played all their home games at Chepauk and lost only one match each season, CSK’s struggles at home persisted.
As another season unfolds, CSK continues to grapple with the challenges posed by their home ground, with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad openly expressing his discontent with the red-soil pitch used in their recent match against Punjab Kings. A loss to Rajasthan Royals on Sunday would replicate last year’s 4-3 home record, placing the defending champions in a precarious position for qualification due to their inconsistent form
The peculiarities of this season extend beyond the playing conditions, with injuries and inconsistent performances creating numerous hurdles for CSK to overcome. With limited options for immediate solutions, they face the daunting task of prioritizing either their batting or bowling lineup and hoping for a favorable outcome. Despite strategic changes, such as reintroducing Rachin Ravindra to address top-order issues, CSK faced a daunting chase against Gujarat Titans, underscoring the challenges they confront.
Adding to their predicament is the swift turnaround from the previous game and the uncertainty surrounding the evolving conditions in the season’s first afternoon fixture. If the pitch favors spin, Rajasthan Royals, armed with Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, could exploit it to their advantage. Meanwhile, having faced two close defeats due to middle-order frailties, Sanju Samson and his team are determined to secure a stress-free path to the playoffs. Despite the anticipation surrounding the match, the spotlight may shift from the on-field action to the lingering question of CSK’s performance, amplifying the intrigue surrounding the team’s fate.
In Terms Of Recent Form:
Chennai Super Kings LWLWL (last five matches, most recent first)
Rajasthan Royals LLWWW
CSK vs RR: Pitch Report & Conditions
The MA Chidambaram Stadium in IPL 2024 has exhibited a mix of surfaces, with some pitches yielding high run totals while others adhere to traditional Chepauk traits, favoring spinners. The average first innings total at this venue stands at 183 runs, reflecting the varied nature of the pitches. Notably, four out of the six games have been won by teams chasing, indicating the potential advantage of batting second.
However, the prevailing conditions pose challenges for the chasing team, with a mid-afternoon temperature of 35 degrees Celsius and humidity at 73%. These conditions will test the captain’s decision to chase, considering the physical strain on the players. The match will take place on Pitch No.6, a black soil surface previously used for games involving Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. In the matches where CSK batted first on this pitch, they scored over 200 runs but secured only one victory.
Day games in Chennai have been relatively rare since 2019, with only four occurrences. Among these, three favored the chasing team, with two matches witnessing sub-140 totals by the team batting first. The pitch tends to hold the ball earlier in the day, making stroke play challenging, but conditions improve for batting as the evening progresses. However, the drawback of chasing in such conditions is the discomfort caused by the scorching 40-degree Celsius heat.
CSK vs RR: Head-to-head
- Matches Played: 28
- Chennai Super Kings won: 15
- Rajasthan Royals Won: 13
- No Result: 00
- First Played: May 04, 2008
- Last Played: April 12, 2023
CSK vs RR: Team News and Impact Player Strategy
Chennai Super Kings
For Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the challenge lies in managing Ajinkya Rahane’s form, which has been inconsistent throughout the campaign. Despite his struggles, dropping him at this crucial juncture poses a considerable risk, leaving CSK with the dilemma of whether to persist with him or explore alternative options. One potential solution could involve promoting Daryl Mitchell to the opening position and utilizing Sameer Rizvi as a lower-order power hitter.
However, the absence of Matheesha Pathirana and Deepak Chahar due to hamstring injuries, along with Mustafizur Rahman’s national team commitments, further limits CSK’s bowling options. In terms of strategy, Mitchell Santner’s success against Rajasthan Royals’ captain Sanju Samson presents a key matchup to exploit. If Santner can capitalize on his past performances against Samson, it could significantly benefit CSK’s chances in the upcoming match
Predicted XII:
- Rachin Ravindra
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt)
- Daryl Mitchell
- Shivam Dube
- Moeen Ali
- Ravindra Jadeja
- MS Dhoni (wk)
- Mitchell Santner
- Shardul Thakur
- Tushar Deshpande
- Simarjeet Singh
Rajasthan Royals
In the lead-up to the match, Rajasthan Royals (RR) are faced with some key selection decisions and fitness concerns. Donovan Ferreira’s presence at the pre-match press conference suggests he may feature in the XI once again, indicating that Shimron Hetmyer might not yet be fully match-fit. Given Hetmyer’s potential inclusion in the West Indies squad for the T20 World Cup in June, RR might exercise caution with his participation. Another dilemma for RR revolves around the choice between Rovman Powell and Keshav Maharaj. While Powell may struggle on a spinning pitch, Maharaj offers valuable bowling prowess but risks shortening the batting lineup.
The availability of Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer, who missed RR’s previous game, remains uncertain. Although both players trained on the eve of the match, a decision regarding their match readiness is likely to be made closer to game time.
Furthermore, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s record against RR’s fast bowlers—Boult, Sandeep, and Avesh—is notably poor. Gaikwad scores at less than a run-a-ball against Boult and Sandeep, with Boult dismissing him thrice in 24 balls, while Sandeep and Avesh have claimed his wicket once each.
Predicted XII:
- Jos Buttler
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Sanju Samson (capt & wk)
- Riyan Parag
- Shubham Dubey
- Donovan Ferreira
- Rovman Powell/Keshav Maharaj
- R Ashwin
- Avesh Khan
- Trent Boult
- Sandeep Sharma
- Yuzvendra Chahal
CSK vs RR: Players Under The Spotlight
CSK- Shivam Dube
In the context of a slow pitch, players adept at handling such conditions emerge as pivotal figures, and Shivam Dube epitomizes this trait. His remarkable reach and immense power enable him to dispatch even good deliveries over the boundary with ease. Opposing teams often attempt to shield their spinners when Dube is at the crease, evidenced by his relatively low exposure to spin bowling, facing only 40 balls from spinners. However, Rajasthan Royals (RR) are unlikely to adopt such defensive tactics, boasting a quality bowling attack capable of challenging Dube effectively.
RR- Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal’s resurgence in India’s T20I squad underscores his prowess as a wicket-taking bowler. In an era where wrist spinners are expected to deliver deliveries with increased pace, Chahal has adapted accordingly, occasionally clocking speeds of up to 95kph. Nevertheless, he continues to rely on his traditional loopy leg-breaks, deceiving batsmen with deliveries that appear destined for a long journey before ultimately being caught on the boundary.
Despite a recent dip in form, evidenced by his figures of 1 for 48, 0 for 62, 0 for 48, 1 for 41, and 0 for 54 in recent matches, it’s worth noting that three of these matches were held in venues known for high-scoring encounters like Delhi, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. In Chennai, Chahal might find conditions more conducive to his style of bowling, potentially enabling him to rediscover his effectiveness.
CSK vs RR: Match Prediction
Scenario 1:
- Toss: Chennai Super Kings win and opt to bowl.
- Power Play Score: 55-65 runs.
- First Innings Score: 180-190 runs.
- Prediction: Chennai Super Kings win.
Scenario 2:
- Toss: Rajasthan Royals win and opt to bowl.
- Power Play Score: 40-50 runs.
- First Innings Score: 170-180 runs.
- Prediction: Rajasthan Royals win.
CSK vs RR: Dream 11 Fantasy Prediction
Team 1:
- Keeper: MS Dhoni, Sanju Samson
- Batsman: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Daryl Mitchell, Rovman Powell, Yashasvi Jaiswal (VC)
- All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Riyan Parag
- Bowlers: Tushar Deshpande, Avesh Khan, Trent Boult
Team 2:
- Keeper: Sanju Samson, Jos Butler
- Batsman: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal (VC)
- All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali
- Bowlers: Tushar Deshpande, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult
When and Where to Watch the Match: Streaming & Broadcast Details
What: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR), IPL 2024
When: 3:30 PM IST, Sunday – May 12
Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Where to watch CSK vs RR Live Streaming: JioCinema app for FREE
Where to watch CSK vs RR Live Telecast: Star Sports
