The results over the years have been rather one-sided in favour of CSK. RCB have won only once in their last five meetings and only 31% of the all the matches in the IPL against them. So maybe not. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be locking horns with the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 18. The two sides faced each other in the opening game of the season, when CSK won convincingly by six wickets.
But this time, there is a lot at stake – it’s a virtual quarter-final. RCB are in roaring form, with five wins in a row; CSK have been up and down. Scenarios-wise, it’s easier for CSK to get through. Just win, or hope the game is rained out – not unlikely, considering the weather in Bengaluru. RCB, however, have to win and win by a certain margin – assuming a score of 200, they need to win by 18 runs or chase the target down with about 11 balls to spare – to get into the top four.
RCB vs CSK Previous Performances.
The home team has won their last five matches, successfully defending twice. For RCB to have a chance of qualifying for the playoffs, they must win against CSK. If they bat first, they need to set a target and defend it with a margin of 18 runs. Conversely, if they bat second, they must chase down the CSK’s total within 18 overs.
Meanwhile, CSK have won seven out of their 13 matches so far, and their latest victory was against Rajasthan Royals by five wickets. However, CSK find themselves in a tricky position, as they are in a do-or-die situation too. To qualify for the playoffs, the five-time champions must defeat RCB and confirm their playoffs berth.
RCB vs CSK Head to Head
It was the season opener, at Chepauk. Mustafizur Rahman ran through the RCB top order but a late lift from Anuj Rawat and Dinesh Karthik took them to 173 for 6. In reply, CSK chased down the target with eight balls remaining, with Dube and Ravindra Jadeja posting an unbeaten 66-run stand. In many ways, that result set the tone for the first half of the season for the two sides. But it all changed since then.
RCB 10 – 21 CSK. The Super Kings have won each of their last three as well as five of the last six contests against RCB. Only MI has more wins against a single opponent (23 vs KKR) than CSK’s 21 wins against RCB.
| Matches Played | 32 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru Won | 21 |
| Chennai Super Kings Won | 10 |
| No results | 01 |
RCB vs CSK Pitch Report
The surface at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium favors the batters. Due to the lightning-fast outfield and the relatively smaller size of the ground, high-scoring matches are typically expected at this venue. The bowlers face a challenging task in preventing the opposing teams from racking up substantial scores, as they need to remain highly vigilant and on their toes throughout the contest. The team that wins the toss will look to bowl first at this venue.
It was cloudy all day in Bengaluru on Friday, and there’s a 78% chance of rain on Saturday, with the forecast saying there could be thunderstorms accompanied by showers in the evening. The average first-innings score at the venue this season is 193. The day before the game, there was no grass on the centre pitch, which will be used for this match, so expect it to be a belter.
A start-stop game. There is an 80% forecast for rain that is expected to hit Bengaluru CBD around match-start time. The sub-surface aeration at the stadium should facilitate a quick restart. The six games here have been split in the middle between wins for target setting and chasing teams.
RCB vs CSK Big Picture MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli
There are sentimental reasons for the hype too. Is this the last we’ll see an MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli encounter on the field? Will it be Dhoni’s last game for CSK? (Nobody knows, not even CSK’s batting coach Mike Hussey.)
Dhoni and Kohli may grab all the headlines, but some subplots mean much more. The two most powerful spin-hitters this season will come up against each other: Shivam Dube, who rocked it for CSK in the first half, and Rajat Patidar, who turned the fortunes around for RCB in the second. It will also be the battle of the Indian quicks, who have played key roles in their sides’ wins in the last few games. M Chinnaswamy Stadium might be a batter-friendly surface, but it may all come down to which pace unit performs better on the day.
In terms of the venue, RCB have won both their recent matches at the Chinnaswamy after being relentlessly bashed by oppositions earlier in the season. CSK, however, have won only two of their six away matches. For CSK to gain an advantage at the Chinnaswamy, their batters must come together.
RCB vs CSK Team news and Impact Player strategy
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB are likely to bring back Glenn Maxwell for the game in place of Will Jacks, who has left for England duty. Patidar for Yash Dayal or Swapnil Singh will likely be the impact swap again.
Chennai Super Kings
Moeen Ali has left, so Mitchell Santner is likely to get a place in the XI. Ruturaj Gaikwad is back to opening with Rachin Ravindra, with Ajinkya Rahane dropping to No. 3. In the last game, Daryl Mitchell was subbed out during the chase to get Sameer Rizvi in at No. 7. Considering Rahane’s poor form, and with Moeen out, will they consider starting with Rizvi and have Mitchell at No. 3
RCB vs CSK In the spotlight – Faf du Plessis and Shivam Dube
RCB vs CSK Vital stats that matter
- Kohli has upped his powerplay game, from striking at 131 at an average of 62 in the first six matches to 193 at 98.50 in the last seven
- RCB are Dhoni’s favorite opposition – he has scored 413 runs at an average of 82.6 against them at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the most against any team for him in the IPL
- Ruturaj Gaikwad averages 71 this season, which is the best for an opener in IPL 2024
RCB vs CSK Probable Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):
Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik (wk.), Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Siraj, Swapnil Singh
Impact Substitute: Suyash Prabhudessai
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Samir Rizvi, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (WK), Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh
Impact Substitute : Ajinkya Rahane
RCB vs CSK Fantasy XI : Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Tushar Deshpande, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj.
RCB vs CSK Probable Best Players of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli: He could be the best batter in the upcoming game against Chennai Super Kings. With 661 runs in 13 matches, Kohli is currently the highest run-getter in the season and his performance will be crucial against CSK. He will be once again expected to score big, with this being a do-or-die fixture for RCB.
Probable Best Bowler: Tushar Deshpande
Tushar Deshpande: He could be the best bowler in the upcoming game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. With 16 wickets in 12 matches, the 29-year-old pacer has been a force to reckon with. Chennai will be hoping that the Mumbai-born takes them out of tricky situations at a batting-friendly pitch.
RCB vs CSK Match Prediction
Scenario 1
Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the toss and opt to bowl.
Powerplay: 60-70
CSK: 200-210
Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the match.
Scenario 2
Chennai Super Kings win the toss and opt to bat.
Powerplay: 70-80
RCB: 210-220
Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the match.