IPL 2021, CSK vs RCB: Dhoni-led CSK lock horns with Kohli’s RCB, look to carry their winning momentum – After thrashing defending Champions Mumbai Indians in their last encounter, MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings will be high on confidence and will look to continue their winning momentum as they face Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bangalore in Match
35 of the ongoing IPL 2021.
In their last clash against Mumbai Indians (MI), the Kiwi pace-bowling duo of Trent Boult and Milne ran through the CSK top-order and three times champions will look to sort out their batting woes and put a much-improved pefformance, especially their top-order.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, with his impressive knock of 88*, was the star-performer while Ravindra Jadeja ( 26) and Dwayne Bravo (23) also made valuable contributions with the bat. The trio will try to continue their heroics with bat.
But the major concern for table toppers CSK is the form of Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni. Both, Raina and Dhoni have given ordinary performances with the bat so far.
The duo have already retired from international cricket and lack of match practice is very much evident in their batting.
Suresh Raina, in particular was terrified by the pace-bowling of Mumbai fast bowlers in last match on Sunday.
While analyzing CSK’s Suresh Raina’s six-ball stay against MI, which included five dot balls and one streaky boundary, former South Africa pace legend Dale Steyn quipped that the batsman looked like a “school boy cricketer” at one point.
“Boult started really well. That ball especially to Raina. He ran in and set that aggressive leg-side field. And you could see immediately that. He (Suresh Raina) didn’t want anything of it. He looked like a school boy cricketer at a point.
I couldn’t believe this was an international player doing what he was doing, almost embarrassing that he broke his bat and got out. Had that gone for six, maybe I won’t have said that but it is what we saw,” Dale Steyn explained during a chat on ESPNCricinfo.
Eyes will also be on Ambati Rayudu’s inclusion in the playing XI. Rayudu was retired hurt after being hit on his elbow by a Adam Milne delivery.
Meanwhile, Sam Curran has also finished his mandatory quarantine and will be also available for selection. However, MS Dhoni, who is known to stict to his playing XI, is unlikely to make any change, especially after winning the last game quite comfortably.
On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore will look to bounce back after losing their last game badly against KKR.
In last 10 days, Virat Kohli has faced all sorts of recations from fans, experts and others after he accounced his decision to step down both as India T20 and RCB captain. He also failed against KKR and faced criticism.
Playing his 200th IPL game, the RCB skipper couldn’t contribute much in the clash against KKR and was dismissed by Prasidh Krishna in the second over of the game.
Over the years, Kohli has done well against CSK and he will look to repeat his heroics with the bat.
Apart from Kohli, other RCB batters will also have to step up and play at their absolute best, if they want to challenge mighty CSK.
Not only batters, RCB bowlers were also ordinary as KKR batsmen Shubman Gill (48), Venkatesh Iyer (41) hammered them at their will. And Chahal & Co will look to improve their performance.
Editors pick
