Bengaluru, May 18 (UNI) In a highly anticipated clash at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the toss and chose to field first against their arch-rivals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), on Saturday.
This match is crucial for both teams as they vie for a place in the playoffs of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL).
At the toss, RCB captain Faf du Plessis announced that the team remains largely unchanged but noted the return of Glenn Maxwell to the lineup.
"Same team at the toss, but Will Jacks is back in England and he's replaced by Glenn Maxwell. He's slated to take Jacks' number 3 slot as well, not sure if that'll happen," he stated.
The inclusion of Maxwell is expected to bolster RCB's batting strength. Additionally, du Plessis mentioned the potential use of impact substitutes, highlighting Swapnil Singh and Vyshak Vijaykumar as candidates. "Swapnil Singh has been named as part of the impact sub, it could be either him or Vyshak Vijaykumar," he added.
Du Plessis expressed confidence despite losing the toss. He noted that while losing the toss wasn't ideal, the team remains optimistic based on their recent performances. "We would have fielded as well, but we put up a good score when we batted first last. Losing the toss isn't ideal, but we'll take a lot of confidence from the last five games," he said.
Du Plessis emphasised the positive atmosphere within the team and the advantage of playing in front of their home spectators. "The setup is great, last match before the knock-out stage, the scenario is nicely set-up, and we're happy to play our last league game in front of our fans. Not thinking a lot, we'll take it as it comes and do our best," du Plessis added.
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad also announced a change in the team lineup, with Mitchell Santner replacing Moeen Ali, who is unavailable for the match. This strategic decision aims to strengthen the team's bowling options in the pivotal game.
Ruturaj also cited favorable pitch conditions and overcast weather as factors in his decision. "We'll bowl first. The wicket looks good, conditions are overcast, and we will look to make the most of the movement in the first 2-3 overs," he explained.
Acknowledging the slightly damp pitch, he expressed confidence in his team's approach. "It looks a bit damp, but we'll go with great intent," he added.
Emphasising the importance of every match in the IPL, Ruturaj noted that the team's strategy remains consistent. "Every game in the IPL is must-win, nothing changes for us, we'll take it ball-by-ball, try and win the small processes," he said.
Reflecting on their recent performance, he highlighted key victories that have bolstered their position. "We've won some crucial games to go ahead of the pack in the middle," he remarked.
For CSK, a victory would likely secure them the final playoff berth. Even a washout or a close loss could be sufficient, provided other results are favorable, particularly if Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) falter.
CSK also has a shot at finishing in the top two, which would allow them to compete in Qualifier 1 against the Knight Riders. Achieving this requires a win and favorable outcomes in other matches.
In contrast, RCB's path to the playoffs is more straightforward but equally challenging—they must win, and ideally by a significant margin, to enhance their chances of progressing.
With only one playoff berth remaining and the intense rivalry between CSK and RCB, tonight's match promises to be a thrilling spectacle for fans. Both teams are expected to bring their best to the field in what is anticipated to be an action-packed and closely contested game.
As the IPL 2024 league phase draws to a close, all eyes will be on this pivotal match, which could determine the fate of both teams in the tournament.
Teams
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Faf du Plessis(c), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik(w), Karn Sharma, Yash Dayal, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Siraj
Impact players: Swapnil Singh, Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Himanshu Sharma
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Daryl Mitchell, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w), Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekshana
Impact players: Shivam Dubey, Sameer Rizvi , Prashant Solanki, Shaik Rasheed, Mukesh Choudhary.
UNI BDN ARN