IPL 2018: Match 17, CSK vs RR, Preview- Chennai embrace Pune for a fresh start after Cauvery Chaos

Both Rajasthan and Chennai have tasted defeats in their erstwhile games.

Published - 19 Apr 2018, 21:07 IST | Updated - 19 Apr 2018, 21:07 IST

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The Cauvery issue has ensured that the home games of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were shifted to Pune where they will lock horns tomorrow with the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Though the atmosphere in the city won’t be the same as that of Chennai, MS Dhoni’s men would desperately want to shed the disappointment of not getting Chepauk as the venue and come out firing on all cylinders.

The Super Kings tasted defeat in their previous match against the Kings XI Punjab from which they would also like to recover. On the other hand, the Royals have been thumped at home by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), which is unlikely to keep them in good stead. Nevertheless, they have the firepower in their armoury to steamroll the Super Kings.

There won’t be any dearth of support for the Yellow Army as the franchise has booked an entire train for 1000 supporter who are expected to scream them lungs out for their heroes at the venue. Both teams are breathing down the necks of each other as far as the league table is concerned and would be itching to climb the ladder with each passing day of the tournament.

Toss: RR won the toss and elected to field first

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Sam Billings, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Karn Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Imran Tahir

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Ajinkya Rahane(c), Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w), Heinrich Klaasen, Stuart Binny, Krishnappa Gowtham, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Ben Laughlin

Team Combination

Chennai Super Kings

Suresh Raina has been seen training hard since yesterday and hence his participation in the game can’t be completely ruled out. In that scenario, Ambati Rayudu and Shane Watson might open the batting. Sam Billings was promoted up the order against Punjab and CSK might persist with him again. Meanwhile, he might also take up the wicket-keeping gloves after MS Dhoni suffered a back strain.

The bowling lineup would want to deliver after a couple lacklustre performances. Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur are the Indian pace contingent who need to find ways of making inroads in Rajasthan’s batting. Harbhajan Singh and Imran Tahir remain to be a part of the team, being seasoned campaigners. Dwayne Bravo would be pinned hopes on in the death overs.

Rajasthan Royals

Heinrich Klaasen might replace D’Arcy Short in the lineup. Rahul Tripathi, who opened for Pune last year, might be sent to open again. Sanju Samson perished cheaply against KKR and would want to make amends. Klaasen and Jos Buttler are deadly prospects in the middle-order. On the other hand, Ben Stokes would wish to gain rhythm, both with the bat and ball.

The Indian domestic bowlers in Shreyas Gopal and Krishnappa Gowtham have been economical thus far and would need to rise to the occasion against Chennai. Dhawal Kulkarni and Jaydev Unadkat’s role would also be crucial as well. Ben Laughlin’s experience also needs to come to the fore in order for the Royals to get the CSK batsmen on the mat.

Players to watch out for

Shane Watson- Chennai Super Kings

Shane Watson might be at the fag-end of his career, but his zeal to succeed hasn’t died down any means. Albeit, he has been impressive with the leather, but the franchise would be banking on the Queenslander to be a little more consistent with the willow also. Chennai would be requiring Watson in full flow if they are to make a comeback after their defeat against Ravichandran Ashwin’s men.

Jaydev Unadkat- Rajasthan Royals

Jaydev Unadkat has shown awful touch in four games for the Royals. He hasn’t nipped out wickets and has been taken for runs at an economy rate of 11 rpo. However, the Porbandar-born pacer has all the abilities to make a comeback. Meanwhile, the burden of INR 11.5 crores must also be adding to the pressure, he is currently encountering.