The Indian Express takes a look at the CSK vs RCB 2024 playing 11 of both the teams for the opening match of the Indian Premier League 2024 and predicts the probable XI for both Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
IPL 2024: CSK vs RCB
Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of the Indian Premier League 2024 on Friday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
While MS Dhoni’s side has an opening slot to decide in the absence of Devon Conway, Faf du Plessis-led RCB needs to sort out their spin combination.
Both teams also have powerful batting line-ups that will demolish any opponent on any given day. Players like Moeen Ali, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dubey, and the fresh Ajinkya Rahane form the core of the batting line-up for CSK.
Virat Kohli, captain Faf, and Glenn Maxwell have done the heavy lifting last season according to RCB, but the addition of Cameron Green and Rajat Patidar will provide a little more freedom at the top.
The playing XI prediction here is
Death bowling was one of the major reasons behind CSK’s success last season. However, he is set to miss the first few matches due to a hamstring injury which is a big blow for the team.
However, they have a replacement for Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman, who was injured during the team’s T20 series against Sri Lanka. Although he has joined the team in Chennai, the question remains whether he will start or not.
Rachin Ravindra to make his IPL debut to
The Kiwi top-order batsman performed brilliantly in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, scoring 578 runs at an average of 64.22. In his absence from his international partner, Racine would be the perfect choice to fill the opening slot.
A capable player, the left-handed batsman not only bowls fast but can also take on the spinners. He has also shown this, a skill required for a batsman to do well at Chepauk.
Rajat Patidar is back for RCB
After scoring a tremendous century at the Eden Gardens in the 2022 Eliminator against Lucknow Supergiants, it seemed as if RCB has found a solid Indian batsman who can perform well consistently.
However, due to injury, he missed the entire previous season, the lack of a reliable middle order with the bat cost Faf’s side and was one of the reasons behind their otherwise poor campaign in 2023.
