CSK vs RCB: The big picture
CSK vs RCB: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 2022 IPL season has been a carbon copy of some of their previous seasons, with five victories and five losses. A typical RCB season would consist of some promising moments interspersed with a streak of losses. RCB still has a chance to qualify for the playoffs if they can turn things around in their next four games. But, in order for it to happen, a couple of their important personnel’s fortunes must change.
Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, and Josh Hazlewood have all taken wickets thus far. The Royal Challengers Bangalore will face a resurgent Chennai Super Kings in their next match. After defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad, one of the tournament’s form teams, the CSK camp found a ray of optimism in their stumbling campaign. It was also a match in which MS Dhoni returned to his role as the franchise’s captain, marshaling the resources.
Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad stitched a stunning 182-run opening stand in their past game. It also meant that CSK’s tried-and-true strategy of using ‘anchor-batters’ to construct a platform in the Powerplay before pressing the accelerator worked flawlessly. It will be intriguing to observe how Gaikwad approaches the top of the order against RCB’s Hazlewood. Gaikwad’s game is primarily about touch and economy of movement, whereas Hazlewood is recognized for nifty movement and extra bounce.
CSK vs RCB: Match details
When: Thursday, May 4, 2022, at 19.30 IST
Where: The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium is located in Pune.
What to expect: Throughout the season, the MCA stadium in Pune has provided some bounce. In the most recent match played here, CSK and SRH combined for 391 runs. At 31%, humidity is likely to be on the low side. As a result, there may be less dew.
Only nine of RCB’s 29 matches versus CSK have resulted in a win. RCB has won twice and lost seven times against the Chennai franchise since 2018.
Also Read: IPL 2022: DC vs SRH Match 50 Prediction
CSK vs RCB: Team-wise tactics and strategies
Royal Challengers Bangalore
In the IPL, Harshal Patel has had some success against MS Dhoni (dismissed thrice) and Ambati Rayudu (dismissed five times). Rayudu is known for his strong wrists, and he whips it consistently through the on-side with his bottom-handed grip as well. Harshal, on the other hand, has dismissed the CSK lynchpin a few times by slowing down the pace, with the fielder stationed at short midwicket/midwicket catching the catches. On two-paced decks, this type of strategy could be helpful.
In the middle overs, RCB has been the top bowling side in the 2017 IPL, taking 34 wickets at an average of 18.53. As a result, it may come down to whether CSK’s ‘anchor-batters’ can once again create a platform to counter RCB’s danger in the middle overs.
Probable XI: Mahipal Lomror, Wanindu Hasaranga, Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, and Josh Hazlewood
Chennai Super Kings
CSK’s tactics and matchups have largely relied on spinners to thwart RCB’s plans. The fact that CSK’s spinners have taken 31 wickets at an average of 16 against RCB since 2018 further illustrates the case. Ravindra Jadeja might be CSK’s go-to man, having taken the wickets of Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik, and Virat Kohli seven, three, and three times in the IPL, respectively. Jadeja, on the other hand, has struggled in this IPL, taking only 5 wickets thus far.
Probable XI: Dwayne Bravo, Moeen Ali, Dwaine Pretorius, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Robin Uthappa (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (c), Mukesh Choudhary, Tushar Deshpande
CSK vs RCB: Trivia
In IPL 2022, both of Ruturaj’s fifties occurred at his home stadium of Pune. In fact, he only has 65 runs in seven innings in Mumbai.
With 26 wickets in 29 games versus RCB, Jadeja is the top wicket-taker in IPL history. Jadeja grabbed three wickets and was named Player of the Match the previous time the two sides met in Pune in 2018.
