CSK vs RR: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Stats, Pitch Report & more for Dream11 IPL, Match 37

Both the Super Kings and the Royals must be wary that anything lesser than a victory for them in the remaining encounters would only mean pushing themselves closer to the door of exit.

Published - 19 Oct 2020, 10:39 IST | Updated - 19 Oct 2020, 10:39 IST

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Chennai Super Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad

There are seasons where Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had victories in breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At the moment, it is just not clicking for them. They win one, lose a couple, win another, and lose another couple. If yours is termed as the most consistent team in the league, this is exactly how you would not want to perform. Things have just not been happening this year for the Super Kings and they need a combination of winning and luck ahead to keep themselves alive in the scene.

The reputation for consistency minus from CSK’s equation, the situation of Rajasthan Royals (RR) has been highly similar in this edition. Both strugglers have six points from nine games, and only a slightly better net run rate places the three-time champions a spot above the Royals, who are second-last on the table. The latter is entering into this game after being “AB-ed”, in skipper Steve Smith’s words. Batting first against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the Royals posted a decent total of 171 for six, courtesy Robin Uthappa’s 22-ball 41 and skipper Smith’s belligerent half-century (57 from 36).

Coming to defend the target, the bowlers looked in good rhythm as they contained the run-scoring in the initial overs. A couple of crucial wickets of Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli in the middle-overs put RR in a commanding position. Though only to be toyed around by the mighty AB de Villiers, who took his team across the line through his blitzkrieg knock of 55* from merely 22.

On the other hand, MS Dhoni’s men were thrashed by the Delhi Capitals (DC) in their last encounter by five wickets. Although CSK were able to rekindle the fire within them after a clinical victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), they were clueless in front of the dominating Shikhar Dhawan, whose scintillating 101-run knock decimated them in the last game as the Capitals chased 180 runs without any major difficulty. It was a forgettable day for CSK in the field as they were extremely sloppy and dropped Dhawan twice, apart from muddling up a run-out opportunity too.

Both the teams must be wary as they meet on Monday at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, that anything lesser than a victory for them in the remaining encounters would only mean pushing themselves closer to the door of exit.

Pitch and conditions

The strip at Abu Dhabi has slowed down considerably in the last few games, although the teams batting have found it slightly easier of late. The track is still offering decent bounce, though it has been two-paced. Though teams have preferred batting first after the toss, the norm seems to be changing at least at Abu Dhabi.

Playing Combinations for CSK vs RR

Chennai Super Kings

Sam Curran was used as an opener in the game against DC, although he managed only a three-ball duck to his name. Both Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis maneuvered the opponent bowlers well and provided a solid platform for the middle-order, which was well used by Ambati Rayaudu and Ravindra Jadeja to propel their team to a competitive score.

A major blow for the team could be the influential all-rounder Dwayne Bravo’s unavailability pertaining to a groin injury. This might be the moment for last year’s Purple Cap winner Imran Tahir to find a spot in the eleven alongside Karn Sharma. Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur will lead the pace attack.

Probable XI

Sam Curran, Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav/Piyush Chawla, Dwayne Bravo/Imran Tahir, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Karn Sharma

Rajasthan Royals

RR tried yet another new opening combination as they paired Ben Stokes and Robin Uthappa in the last game. The move paid off as an off-colour Uthappa suddenly started to look in great form coming back at his usual position. Sanju Samson continued his dismal show with the bat, though Steven Smith got back in the runs through his 57-run knock.

Demoting Jos Buttler in the order might give the batting unit more flexibility as he can play the role he plays for England in ODIs. The bowling woes for the Royals do not seem to come to an end as Jayadev Unadkat has faltered consistently. Despite the lack of support, Jofra Archer has continued to make the ball talk.

Probable XI

Robin Uthappa, Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson (WK), Steve Smith (C), Jos Buttler, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Riyan Parag, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat/Varun Aaron, Kartik Tyagi