IPL 2023 PREVIEW: CSK v RR

The two in-form teams, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals will lock horns in the 17th game of the Indian Premier League 2023. CSK is in the 5th position with 2 wins in 3 games. Rajasthan, on the other hand, has also won 2 matches out of 3 but they are in the 2nd position on the back of their excellent net run rate.

Chennai will once again rely on their batters to win the game for them. The openers will have to get off to a good start for CSK to utilize their batting depth and post a competitive total on the board. Ruturaj has been in terrific form and has held the innings for the majority of the 20 overs. Ajinkya Rahane’s blistering performance in the last game is a good sign for the men in yellow. Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni have played some useful cameos and they’ll need to continue that.

Bowling is an area where CSK struggles but Maheesh Theekshana’s return will be a huge boost for them. Tushar Deshpande bowled well in the last game but CSK’s strength is their spin attack and they are expected to field as many as four spinners in this match. The onus will be on the shoulders of Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Maheesh Theekshana and Mitchell Santner to stop the flow of runs and pick up wickets in the middle overs. CSK will be confident coming into this game.

The Rajasthan Royals are in top form and they are one of the most balanced sides in the tournament. The likes of Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shimron Hetmyer form the core of their batting and Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravichandran Ashwin and Jason Holder are their main bowlers. The Royals are in good form but they’ll need to be on their toes against Chennai at their Anbuden.

Probable XIs

Chennai

Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Mitchell Santner/Dwaine Pretorius/Sisanda Magala, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana

Impact Subs: Akash Singh, Nishant Sindhu, Simarjeet Singh, Prashant Solanki

Rajasthan

Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal

Impact Subs: Murugan Ashwin, Navdeep Saini, Akash Vashisht, Donavon Ferreira, KM Asif

Venue

MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

The first game played at Chepauk saw an excellent pitch for batting which is not at all expected at the venue. Despite that, the spinners got good purchase off the deck and it will be a similar kind of wicket for this game as well. It may be not that good for batting but the spinners will dominate the match. There was some dew in the later half of the second innings in the last game. Toss won’t give too much advantage but teams may still prefer chasing.

Total Matches: 121
Won Batting 1st: 64
Won Batting 2nd: 55
Tied: 2

Average 1st Innings Score: 157 runs

Head-to-Head

CSK: 15
RR: 12

Key Players and Fantasy Picks

Chennai

Ruturaj Gaikwad is the 3rd highest run-scorer in the tournament with 189 runs in 3 innings at an average of 94.50 and his strike rate is 161.54. He scored a sensible 40* runs in the last game and steered his side over the line. Gaikwad is in good form and will be the best batter for CSK in this game. He will have to be alert from the new ball threat of Trent Boult.

Moeen Ali averages 46.7 and strikes at 148.9 against the Royals while playing for Chennai. He has picked up 4 wickets as well at an economy of 5.46. Moeen picked up 4 wickets in the last game against Lucknow at Chepauk. He will be an important player for CSK.

Maheesh Theekshana will be available for this match and he will be the best bowler for CSK. He can bowl in any phase of the innings including the death overs. And considering Chennai’s poor form in the death overs it won’t be surprising if we get to see him bowl an over in the last 4. Theekshana is in great form currently and CSK will expect him to replicate that in the IPL.

Devon Conway got out for a duck in the last match but he is an important batter for Chennai and he needs to do well, especially against Trent Boult in the first six overs as CSK's batters struggle against the left-arm pace bowlers. Conway scored 47 runs in the 2nd game against Lucknow.

Rajasthan

Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler averages 53.4 and strikes at 146.7 against CSK. He has 152 runs to his name at an average of 50.67 and his strike rate is 180.95. He has 2 fifties in 3 games and will be the best batter for the Royals in this game. Buttler has been very aggressive in the power play and he can take the game away from Chennai in the first six overs itself.

Trent Boult

Trent Boult has been in great form, especially with the new ball. He has a good record against Ruturaj Gaiwkad and he can give Rajasthan the upper hand if he picks up a few wickets in the first six overs. Boult is one of the best pacers in world cricket and a must-pick in your fantasy teams.

Ravichandran Ashwin

CSK’s batting unit will have 4 left-hand batters and that’s a great match-up for Ravichandran Ashwin. He has an excellent record against the lefties and he will be eager to do well at his home ground. Ashwin can pick up a few wickets in this match.

Differential Picks for Fantasy Cricket: Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, Tushar Deshpande, Sisanda Magala (if he plays) and MS Dhoni.

Fantasy Suggestions

Disclaimer: We don’t guarantee to win in fantasy cricket. Users are requested to create their own combinations using the tips and numbers provided.