IPL 2018: Match 24, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings - Expectation vs Reality

This South Indian battle is one where the Chennai Super Kings have been winning with ease. In the head to head battle, CSK trump Royal Challengers Bangalore 12-6 and haven’t lost a game against them since 2014. Presently too, CSK is in a comfortable spot in the points table where they sit pretty on the second spot with 4 wins in 5 games and a total of 8 points while RCB looms at No. 6 with 2 wins in 4 games and just 4 points.

Both teams will be high on confidence as they will be arriving fresh from winning their respective games. While CSK managed to snatch victory in another last over thriller, RCB managed to annihilate Delhi Daredevils courtesy an unbeaten AB de Villiers show. Both teams have issues to address, mostly regarding their bowling but CSK will take confidence from the fact that there have been different match-winners in each of their games and their key players are in rich form. RCB, on the other hand, have failed to click as a batting unit as their openers await consistency and their middle order awaits stability.

Even though the match will be played at RCB’s fortress, Chinnaswamy, CSK’s dominance there takes away the little advantage the home team had. However, RCB will know how important it is to extend their own momentum after their previous game and bring an end to CSK’s winning streak. Several players in RCB are due for something special but that won’t be easy to pull off against CSK.

We have a few expectations from the match, do you too?

Watson vs his former franchise

When Watson played like he did against Kolkata Knight Riders and then the century against Rajasthan Royals, several RCB fans were left aghast because his time with RCB had none of these heroics. However, the reality is that he barely opened for the side and was not at his best with the ball. However, he has carried his rich form from the PSL to the IPL and CSK are doing well to utilise that.

When Shane Watson faces his former franchise, expect him to do something similar. If not with the bat, he’ll do it with the ball. After all, being around Kohli, de Villiers, Mandeep and Sarfaraz for two years counts for something. More so because he is familiar with how the ground is. If the Chinnaswamy pitch acts out like it did in 2017, he would know what is in store for him.

Siraj to justify his selection

In the two games he played so far, Siraj has been decent. Coming in place of Kulwant Khejroliya, Siraj had the task of doing well for RCB especially during the death overs. His numbers may not show it but despite conceding around 35 runs in both games, he has bowled well. He has a tendency to be on the expensive side and that is bound to happen on grounds like Wankhede and RCB, but he is a skiddy bowler who hits the deck hard.

It has been said about him that the T20 format is not for him and his success in the longer formats is irrelevant when he plays it but he had a good time at SRH last season. It is time he shows that he can’t be confined to red-ball cricket and repay the faith RCB has shown in him. It is important for him to execute his skills especially at death for RCB and fill the void for the side.