IPL 2020: Top 3 Picks for Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals

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The three-time Indian Premier League champions, Chennai Super Kings registered a comfortable and convincing victory against Mumbai Indians in the curtain-raiser of IPL 2020. Though Chennai Super Kings lost two early wickets against the Rohit Sharma-led side, they were able to bounce back and register the victory. However, they cannot expect the victory if they continue their sluggish performances here and there when they face the Rajasthan Royals.

After having the momentum at their disposal, Chennai Super Kings will look to build on that and claim the first place on the table. Though it’s very early in the season to fight for the top spot, these are the small battles that can affect the qualification for playoffs on the final day of the season. Chennai Super Kings will look to come out victorious against the underdogs, Rajasthan Royals.

Though cricket is a game where all the eleven players’ contribution is necessary, it is the player battles and two or three players who decide the outcome of the game with their strong performances. Here are the top three players whose performance can decide the outcome of the match for Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday.

#1) Ambati Rayudu

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The player is known for his uncanny ability to swing the match into his team’s favour with his batting, Ambati Rayudu is one of the top players for Chennai Super Kings. The player was deprived of No 4 position in the World Cup 2019 which denied India’s entry into the finals (according to few). The technically perfect batsman swung the previous match into Chennai’s favour with his patience and aggression mixed batsman on Saturday. He will look to repeat the same when he faces the “Pink Army” on Tuesday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Ambati Rayudu scored 71 of 48 deliveries before getting out against Mumbai Indians after Chennai succumbed two wickets in two overs. Rayudu will have a crucial role to play when CSK lock their horns with RR.

#2) Faf du Plessis

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The former Protean skipper, Faf du Plessis helped Chennai Super Kings to defeat Mumbai Indians on Saturday with his exemplary batting skills. Though CSK were reduced to two wickets at the end of second over against Mumbai Indians, Faf du Plessis showed his batting skills and maturity and kept the scoreboard ticking. He not only steadied the innings with Ambati Rayudud but also took over the line. The South African international will look to continue the same when he goes against Steve Smith-led Rajasthan Royals.

Apart from his batting, the player equally contributes to fielding too. Faf du Plessis caught an amazing catch at long-on Saturday which checked the run flow of Mumbai Indians. Faf will remain as a crucial figure in CSK’s line-up with Suresh Raina being absent from the squad.

#3) Mahendra Singh Dhoni

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The former Indian wicket-keeper batsman, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was perfect once again with his decisions, on and off the field. Mahendra Singh Dhoni played a crucial role during Chennai’s bowling with his well-known batting skills and will look to keep the same against Rajasthan Royals. Though the fans were deprived of his explosive batting, MSD showed that he has some unfinished business in cricket.

After facing a disappointing loss against Rajasthan Royals in the finals of 2008 against RR, CSK have picked up well and have numbers in their favour. And this is all because of MSD’s captaincy. Can he deliver once again on Tuesday?