IPL 2024: CSK vs RR Match 61 - Top 3 player battles to watch out for

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) will be taking on each other in the 61st match of the IPL 2024. The match is set to take place at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on the 12th of May 2024 at 3:30 PM (IST). The match holds more importance for the five-time champions than the 2008 champions. The home side is in nearly a must-win situation after losing to Gujarat Titans by a fair margin in their previous game. They cannot afford a loss at this stage.

CSK's batting has been a hit or a miss. The home side has not had contributions from the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Rachin Ravindra, and Sameer Rizvi. With the ball, the absence of key overseas pacers like Mustafizur Rahman and Matheesha Pathirana is being felt. In their absence, the bowling of CSK has been dependent on its spinners. Thankfully for them, the match is happening at home where the spinners are usually having some assistance from the pitch.

RR is not in a good momentum. The visiting side has lost three of their last four matches and needs to win their next few games to finish in the top two spots in the table. Batting has been their big problem without a doubt. Their batting more or less depends on the duo of Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag. The openers like Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal have done well here and there. But after the dismissals of Samson and Parag, they have been nearly out of the game.

Check Here: CSK vs RR Live Score, Match 61

Here are the top three player battles to watch out for ahead of CSK vs RR in IPL 2024, Match 61:

3. Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Trent Boult

Ruturaj Gaikwad is one of the best openers this season. Among the Indian openers, not many have done better than him. He knows the conditions of Chennai well and would be hoping to deliver the goods. As it will be a must-win game for the home side, Gaikwad's contribution with the bat will be crucial.

RR's best bet to stop him would be Trent Boult. With the new ball, the league probably has not seen better bowlers in recent times. The left-arm pacer can swing the ball into the right-handers and often troubles them. Gaikwad is a bit vulnerable against the moving ball which poses a good challenge at the top.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Orange Cap

2. Shivam Dube vs Yuzvendra Chahal

Shivam Dube is one of the best players of spin in the league. The Southpaw has a good record against the leg-spinners and would be hoping to make an impact with the bat. In the last three games, the star batter has registered two ducks, affecting his confidence. He would be hoping to return to form.

He is likely to be up against Yuzvendra Chahal in the middle overs. Given the conditions in Chennai, Chahal will be expected to perform well. In the last 4-5 games, he has not been able to bowl as well as one would have liked. The game against CSK will be a good way for him to return to form. 

Also Check: IPL 2024 Purple Cap

1. Sanju Samson vs Ravindra Jadeja

Sanju Samson has been arguably the best batter in the middle overs this season. Over the last 6-7 seasons, he has been one of the best players of spin. The RR skipper is not vulnerable against any kind of spin. He has been the best batter of RR this season and has played a key role in RR being in the top two positions this season.

Check Here: CSK vs RR Dream11 Team Prediction

To challenge him, CSK has a good bowler like Ravindra Jadeja. While Samson is good against spin, Jadeja knows how to contain the batters. Sanju would be looking to score runs against spinners. The 35-year-old can be good when the batters try to score runs against him. The battle will hence be great to watch.