Only a handful days are left when defending champions Chennai Super Kings will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL opener at M.A.Chidambaram Stadium on 23 March on Saturday.
Chennai Super Kings, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been the most successful side in the IPL, having won the title three times in the year 2010, 2011, and 2018. While, Royal Challengers Bangalore, over the years, have set a host of records, however, failed to win a single IPL title in 11 editions being held so far.
Virat Kohli would certainly like to overcome RCB’s lean spell this year, as they will be facing IPL’s most successful team in their opening match in Chennai on Saturday, 23rd March 2019.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Apart from AB De Villiers and Virat Kohli, who all are there in the batting line up to help the duo win their maiden IPL title this year?
RCB, this season, have a host of all-rounders in Marcus Stoinis, Colin de Grandhomme, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube. Top seamers like Nathon Coulter-Nile and Tim Southee can also bat as well.
Key Players for the Opening Match Against CSK
Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers
Virat and De Villiers are obviously going to play an influential role for RCB. The run-machine Virat Kohli has been in impeccable form as him being considered for the list of top-run getters in 2019 edition too is a no-brainer.
De Villiers has put curtains on his International career, however, he continues to play in the T-20 leagues across the world. The right-handed batsman has had a good PSL season as he would like to continue showcasing his class in this edition of IPL with a single mission in mind i.e.., IPL title.
Shimron Hetmyer
West Indies new rising star Shimron Hetmyer has a lot on his shoulders to change Bangalore’s fortunes this year, as the 22 year old batsman has been given the responsibility to solidify RCB’s middle order- an area which the franchise has been lacking for several years now.
Moeen Ali
With Marcus Stoinis not being around in the side for the first couple of matches, a lot rests on Moeen Ali’s shoulder to give RCB a storming start going ahead at the tournament. The left-hander has a decent run in T-20 cricket with the bat, having scored 235 runs 25 matches so far in his career.
Yuzvendra Chahal and Umesh Yadav
Over the years, we have seen that in order to win the IPL title, amidst the performance showcased by the overseas players, Indian players eventually make the lasting difference. RCB’s two of the best bowlers Yuzi Chahal and Umesh Yadav have to come good this year too as, once again, they would not want to be the side who started off pretty well and then fell off the cliff later in the tournament.
Chennai Super Kings
Having missed out in two IPL seasons in 2016 and 2017, Chennai Super Kings made a scintillating comeback, winning the eleventh edition of Indian Premier League in 2018. They will be looking to add the fourth title to their kitty.
Key Players for the IPL Opener
MS Dhoni
Of all the great players, Chennai Super Kings have had over the years, the one player who has played the most important role in helping the team cross the line in almost every season has been India’s most successful captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Dhoni, probably, has the best season last year, scoring 455 runs in 16 matches at a stellar average of 75.83. The former skipper would look to carry his impressive form in this season too.
Faf Du Plessis
South Africa’s spinner Faf Du Plessis has been in a phenomenal form, and now also plays the most important role for the side with De Villiers no more in the side. He would also have a big responsibility on his shoulders to give SCK an ideal start.
Suresh Raina
Chennai Super Kings’ mainstay Suresh Raina has played one of the most important role in Chennai’s successful IPL journey. The left-handed batsman holds the record for the most number of runs in the cash-rich league with 4985 runs in 176 matches so far in his career. He had a decent run last year with 445 runs to his name at an average of 37.08.
Dwayne Bravo
All-rounder Dwayne Bravo of Chennai Super Kings has a far more impressive record than the Dwayne Bravo of West Indies. Dwayne Bravo, over the years, has helped his side win a lot of matches both with bat and bowl. Though his death over bowling ability has taken a backseat now, but the all-rounder still is one of the most important players for CSK.
Predicted Dream11
- Virat Kohli(C)
- AB De Villiers (VC)
- Faf Du Plessis
- Suresh Raina
- MS Dhoni (WK)
- Dwayne Bravo
- Moeen Ali
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Tim Southee
- Lungi Ngidi
- Umesh Yadav
Pitch Conditions
Home venue of Chennai Super Kings, spinners have enjoyed most success in the tournament. Among the top 10 wicket-takers at the ground, nine of them are spinners and the only fast bowler in the list is Kapil Dev. Of the 49 matches, as many as thirty matches have been won by the side who batted first. Average first innings total recorded here is 166 runs.
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