CSK vs RCB: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Stats, Pitch Report and more for Dream11 IPL, Match 25

As abstruse as it may sound, but coming into this clash, the CSK will be desperate for a win.

Published - 09 Oct 2020, 19:23 IST | Updated - 09 Oct 2020, 19:23 IST

View : 1.2K

2 Min Read

It is an anticipated mid-table clash on the Super Saturday between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Dubai International Stadium, Dubai. While the three-time champions have made an uncharacteristic appearance this year with four losses thus far, Kohli’s brigade has looked a lot better than their previous shows in the tournament.

Marked and renowned as the most consistent teams in the history of the IPL, CSK has done little to live up to the coveted tag. Dhoni’s men faltered in a simplistic chase of 167 runs in their last encounter against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and this was despite putting themselves into a position of sheer control.

MS Dhoni – who has of late been criticized vehemently for not stepping up and leading from the front – promoted himself up the order after a couple of crucial wickets dented CSK’s chase.

Unlike the expectations, MS did not manage to take his team across the line. CSK’s all-rounder Kedar Jadhav was under the scanner for his lackadaisical knock of 7 from 12 when he walked in with the team needing around 9 runs an over.

Sinking to an inexplicable loss, the Yellow Army registered its fourth loss this year in six matches to throw its fans in disbelief. Though it is yet not too late, CSK must be wary of the fact that they need to win the majority of their remaining matches, if they want to keep their unhindered run of entering the playoffs in every season, without fail, alive.

After a thumping victory by 8 wickets over the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kohli’s men faded in the subsequent match against the Delhi Capitals (DC). The Challengers’ bowlers were taken for a toll as DC plundered 196 for 4 courtesy of some good runs by the openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan and the enthralling slog hitting of Marcus Stoinis and Rishabh Pant. Coming to chase, RCB was never into the game as they were never able to build the right atmosphere with the bat.

Skipper Kohli played the waiting-game before getting dismissed in an attempt to up the ante. The top-order collapse – none amongst Aaron Finch, Devdutt Padikkal, and AB de Villiers got off – exposed the middle-order, and the batsmen crumbled under pressure as RCB could manage merely 137 runs in their 20 overs. Having faced a 97-run defeat already, a loss by 59 runs in the last game has dented their reeling Net Run Rate (NRR) badly.

As abstruse as it may sound, but coming into this clash, the CSK will be desperate for a win, whereas after a massive loss, RCB would be keen to get back to winning ways.

Pitch and conditions

The strip at Dubai has given a lot to the pacers, who seemed to have enjoyed the initial movement with the new ball. In the last game played at this venue, Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada bagged 6 wickets between them to break the spine of RCB’s unit. Spinners have also extracted some benefits as the track has slowed down a tad bit as the matches have progressed.

Playing combination for CSK vs RCB

Chennai Super Kings Probable 11

Despite Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis striking form, the middle-order woes for the CSK unit have been long-standing with MS Dhoni himself not being at his best. The selection of Kedar Jadhav has been put into question, especially after his weird knock in the last game, and he will be under pressure. Ambati Rayudu has clicked but has not been consistent in his run.

Another area of concern for the CSK setup will be the under-utilization of a match-winner like Dwayne Bravo. That aside, MS would rely on his pacers – Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Chahar – to get him some early breakthroughs. CSK included Karn Sharma at the expense of Piyush Chawla, and he responded well by picking up 2 wickets in his frugal spell.

Probable 11- Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (C&WK), Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Karn Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar

Royal Challengers Bangalore Probable 11

The RCB’s batting lineup had a forgettable last match as no batsmen showed intent to hunt down a 10-run-per-over chase. Aaron Finch, who was not looking at his best initially, has hit some form, whereas Devdutt Padikkal has done justice to all the expectations from him. With Virat Kohli getting amongst the runs, the top-order of the side looks as complete as any, although the middle-order is still not optimal.

With Chris Morris approaching a much-awaited appearance, RCB would hope that their middle-order woes come to an end. Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal have been consistently punching in well, although the never-ending problem of death-bowling has continued to haunt RCB.

Probable 11- Aaron Finch, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers (WK), Shivam Dube, Gurkeerat Singh, Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini, Chris Morris/Moeen Ali, Isuru Udana, Yuzvendra Chahal