RR vs CSK: Preview, Pitch Report, Probable XIs, Fantasy Tips & Prediction
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RR won the last time they faced CSK [Source: AP]
On Thursday, table-toppers Chennai Super Kings will take on the rampant Rajasthan Royals in the 37th group-stage fixture of the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The last match between this two teams saw the Royals edge past the Super Kings in a nerve-wrecker in Chennai. So, MS Dhoni and his men will look to avenge that home defeat when they enter the field tonight.
Team Preview: Rajasthan Royals
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The eyes will be on Jos Buttler [Source: AP]
As anyone would expect from their squad, Rajasthan Royals have enjoyed reasonable success in the IPL 2023, winning four of their seven group-stage fixtures. They have lost three, but by bare margins, primarily due to their batting unit's inability to finish the game.
So, considering the unpredictability factor associated with their middle order, someone from Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson, particularly the latter, should bat through, prompting the finishers like Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel to play with a fearless approach.
On the other hand, the Royals' bowling unit has done exceedingly well, with Trent Boult picking wickets regularly in the power play and the lethal duo of Ashwin and Chahal weaving their magic in the middle overs. However, the death bowling continues to haunt the Royals, who would like to work on this aspect of their game.
Team Preview: Chennai Super Kings
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MS Dhoni played a magnificent cameo against RR [Source: AP]
On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings have been in their ruthless best this season, occupying the top position in the points table with five victories in seven games.
As they are studded with an insanely deep batting lineup, the Super Kings' plan has been straight and simple, going all-out with the bat from the word go and keeping it tight and smart with the ball.
Besides that, their skipper MS Dhoni, arguably the greatest-ever white-ball skipper of all time, has been astute with his bowling changes and field placements. So, despite missing a few first-choice key players due to injury, CSK looks all sorted as a unit going into this match.
Match Details
Date & Time: April 27, 07.30 PM IST
Venue: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Live Streaming: Jio Cinema & Star Sports Network
Pitch Report: The surface at the Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur has traditionally been balanced, assisting batters and bowlers to equal degree. However, in the last game at the venue, the pitch was a bit two-paced. However, if played sensibly, batters can put up big scores at the venue. The humidity will be low, so there won't be any dew to facilitate chasing. Therefore, if a dry surface is provided, the toss-winner should opt to bat first.
Probable Playing XIs
Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (C/WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal
Impact Players: Abdul Basith, Donovan Ferreira, Murugan Ashwin, Akash Vasisht, KM Asif
Chennai Super Kings: Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Singh
Impact Players: Ambati Rayudu, Subhranshu Senapati, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Shaik Rasheed, Dwaine Pretorius
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicket-Keeper: Jos Buttler, Devon Conway
Batters: Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube/Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shimron Hetmyer
All-Rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin
Bowlers: Trent Boult, Tushar Deshpande, Yuzvendra Chahal, Maheesh Theekshana/Sandeep Sharma
Captain: Devon Conway
Vice Captain: Jos Buttler
Prediction
Considering the strengths of both teams, we reckon it will be a cracking game, with each side being capable of sealing a victory. However, as RR have dominated CSK recently, we believe they will emerge victorious in this match.
 "Debashis Sarangi")
