IPL 2020: Match 4, RR vs CSK – RR Predicted Playing XI

The match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) is a highly anticipated one in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). The teams are led by two of the most influential personalities of cricket. MS Dhoni and Steve Smith played together for Rising Pune Supergiant that reached the finals after the former was removed as a skipper. Now both of them are leading different franchises.

Rajasthan Royals will be starting their campaign with this match. They will be up against CSK, the three-times champion and the team who is coming after defeating the defending champions in their first match. Rajasthan is also struggling with their starting eleven as Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes, two of their biggest match-winners are not available for the first game.

Here is the predicted 11 for RR for the 4th match of IPL 2020, RR vs CSK:-

Openers (Robin Uthappa, Yashasvi Jaiswal)

After his long and successful run at Kolkata Knight Riders, Robin Uthappa will be playing for Royals. The veteran cricketer brings with him a lot of experience and game awareness. His role will be to provide solidity and play as an anchor as he did for his previous franchise.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is one of the most exciting youngsters in India. The 18-year-old has been quite successful at the domestic level and he is expected to repeat the same in the IPL. The southpaw can contribute with ball as well and his ability to capitalize the powerplay overs in Buttler’s absence will be quite crucial for RR’s batting line-up.

Middle Order (Steve Smith (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Riyan Parag, David Miller)

Steve Smith, one of the most prolific batsmen of modern-day cricket will be leading the side. Apart from his leadership credentials, his batting is also a vital cog for the team as well. The New South Welshman can play as an anchor but he can also change his gears when his team needs him to score freely.

Sanju Samson will be donning the wicket-keeping gloves in the absence of Jos Buttler. He has been one of the biggest match-winners for Rajasthan and would like to continue in the same fashion. He will be a link between the top order and the finishers and his role will be quite important in scoring runs at an adequate rate in the middle overs.

Riyan Parag and David Miller will be finishers for the Rajasthan franchise. Parag, the 18-year-old youngster, played 7 games for RR last year and impressed everyone with his batting ability. He can also bowl handy wrist spin if required. David Miller, one of the popular T20 cricketers, will be handling the finishing duties for RR for the first time. The Protea batsman is well known for his ability to hit massive sixes.

All-rounders (Rahul Tewatia, Tom Curran)

Both Rahul Tewatia and Tom Curran are effective limited-overs bowlers with handy batting skills. Tewatia adds the wrist spin skill to the bowling line up and Curran is known to deceive batsmen with his bowling variations. They will be providing captain Smith with enough bowling artillery to feel comfortable on the field.

On the other hand, their batting will also be quite significant for RR, as the team will be missing Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes. In their absence these all-rounders and lengthen the batting and can be quite valuable when needed.

Bowlers (Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat)

Jofra Archer is the most important bowler of RR’s attack as he provides the team with the assurance in death overs. He is regarded as a top-class international bowler and will play a significant role in powerplay and death. Jaydev Unadkat will support him from the other end and he has been a regular member of RR’s attack from last two years.

Unadkat can use his cutters to good effect and can restrict the run flow in the death overs. Shreyas Gopal is the only front line spinner in RR’s lineup. He was one of the most proficient wicket-takers for them in middle overs and would be expected to repeat the same.