CSK vs RCB Head to Head, Playing XI, Preview, Where to Watch on TV, Online, and Live Streaming Details

MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli Ravindra Jadeja vs Faf du Plessis. Until the last year, every time Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore ran into each other, the battle was represented as fire versus ice. That analogy no longer holds relevance, with neither MS Dhoni nor Virat Kohli leading their IPL sides.

But that’s not the only that has changed since the last time these two teams met, with CSK looking no match to their old self in 2022. Statistically the second-most successful franchise in the tournament history, CSK have made the worst start to their campaign, having lost four on the bounce, teetering at the bottom of the pile with a long and constantly growing list of concerns.

More glaring than the losses – a part and parcel of any sport – has been the absence of conviction and CSK’s inability to even mildly challenge their opponents. Against this backdrop, it was not surprising to hear that “batting, bowling and fielding is what we need to work on” is how coach Stephen Fleming responded to a what-needs-to-be-done query after CSK’s eight-wicket loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last game.

With one-fourth of the league stage concluded, a ‘W’ in the column is still eluding CSK, who lifted their fourth title just last year, and that, following the unprecedented lows of 2020 when they failed to reach the playoffs for the first time in IPL history. A similar threat is looming large again, and unlike 2020, when there were eight battling for glory, this year there are 10.

What’s not working for them? You’d be better off asking what is because that has an easy answer: hardly anything. Orange Cap winner of the last season, Ruturaj Gaikwad has scores of 0, 1, 1, and 16, Moeen Ali has not yet hit the straps, Ambati Rayudu has failed to convert starts, and the relatively inexperienced bowling attack comprising the likes of Mukesh Chaudhary and Tushar Deshpande has been ineffective under pressure. There is still no word on when, if at all at any point, will CSK get back Deepak Chahar, whose absence is being sorely felt, especially in the powerplays.

One of the major contributors to CSK’s 2021 success, Faf du Plessis, is the man whose brigade they will be up against on April 12, attempting to avoid a fifth straight defeat. du Plessis, the RCB skipper, has more reasons to smile than worry, with his team sitting fourth in the tally after securing three victories in four fixtures.

For them, Anuj Rawat has stepped up brilliantly at the top, having only recently smacked a dominating 66 against Mumbai Indians that proved crucial in his team’s seven-wicket win. RCB will certainly be pleased that Virat Kohli got some runs too in the same game, while du Plessis, Dinesh Karthik and Shahbaz Ahmed have made at least one match-winning contribution so far. With Glenn Maxwell back in the side and Wanindu Hasaranga being in the wickets, the only concern for RCB will be Mohammed Siraj, who has returns of 0/94 in the last two games combined.

Pitch and conditions

Four of the six games at the DY Patil Stadium thus far have gone to the chasers. In the last night game, LSG chased 150 against DC without much fuss. With this one being a night encounter, expect the trend to continue. The average first innings total in four night affairs thus far has been 163. Meanwhile, both RCB and CSK have lost their respective games here, with the former failing to defend 205 against Punjab Kings, and the latter 154 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Playing combinations for CSK vs RCB

Chennai Super Kings

CSK brought Maheesh Theekshana for Dwaine Pretorius against SRH but the move did not reap many rewards, as Theekshana bowled four wicketless overs for 31. Not renowned for making too many changes, Ravindra Jadeja and co. have constantly changed the line-up this year, but to no avail.

The time seems right to give all-rounder Rajvardhan Hangargekar a go. Hangargekar, 19, can consistently clock 140 kmph apart from adding some depth with his batting muscle lower down the order.

Predicted XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Robin Uthappa, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja (c), Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (wk), Dwayne Bravo, Chris Jordan, Mukesh Choudhary/Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Maheesh Theeksana/Dwaine Pretorius

Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB will be without Harshal Patel, who has left the team bubble following his sister’s demise. Siddharth Kaul is likely to fill in him for him, while David Willey might make way for Josh Hazlewood, who is available alongside Jason Behrendorff.

Predicted XI: Faf du Plessis (c), Anuj Rawat, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, David Willey/Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, Siddarth Kaul, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj

CSK vs RCB Head-to-Head

Played – 28 | Chennai Super Kings – 18 | Royal Challengers Bangalore – 9 | NR – 1

CSK vs RCB Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 07:30 PM IST

TV – Star Sports Network

Live Streaming – Disney+Hotstar