The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had found happiness in Chepauk for over ten years, but suddenly things are different. Chepauk is no longer a stronghold for Dhoni and his team, according to former CSK player Abhinav Mukund. The home team, CSK and Royal Challengers Bangalore, will square off in the opening IPL 2024 encounter on March 22 at Chepauk.
After giving the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) an opportunity to upset the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the opening IPL 2024 match, Tamil Nadu batter Abhinav Mukund believes that the team’s home-game advantage is no longer guaranteed.
Nevertheless, they advanced to the final of the IPL 2023 game by defeating the Gujarat Titans (GT) at home in the Qualifier 1.
“CSK looks stronger on paper”- Abhinav Mukund
Speaking on JioCinema, Mukund cited Chennai’s poor home record from the previous season as evidence that RCB ought to play in the season opener.
“The good thing for RCB is that the pitches in Chennai have changed. It’s no longer a fortress for CSK. They lost to Punjab and KKR at home, even though they won the trophy. But, looking at the spin-friendly conditions and the spinners they have, CSK looks stronger on paper,” said Abhinav Mukund.
Unfortunately, RCB has lost all seven of their prior encounters in Chennai and has not experienced victory there since the first IPL season in 2008.
In addition, CSK has an overall advantage of 20–10 against the opposition, which includes an eight-run victory in their only previous-season encounter.
“It has been a great rivalry over the years” – Abhinav Mukund on CSK vs RCB
Despite Chennai’s overwhelming record in head-to-head matches, Abhinav Mukund thought the rivalry between the two teams has remained captivating over the years.
When the two sides met in Chennai for the inaugural match of the season, in 2019, the home team won by seven wickets after bowling out RCB for a dismal 70 runs.
“CSK versus RCB has been a great rivalry over the years. RCB came incredibly close to winning at Chepauk but couldn’t cross the line. A couple of these moments will be etched in fans’ hearts,” Abhinav Mukund reflected.
In terms of their overall IPL performances, CSK has likewise been the complete opposite of RCB. RCB remains trophy-less, despite the MS Dhoni-led squad having won a record-tying five titles.
After three seasons in a row with playoff berths, RCB missed the playoffs the previous season. In the meantime, the Chennai Super Kings defeated the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 final to secure their record-tying fifth title.