CSK ( Source : IPL )
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) will be taking on each other in the 61st match of the IPL 2024. The match is set to take place at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on May 12, 2024 at 3:30 PM (IST). The match holds more importance for the five-time champions than the inaugural champions. The home side is in nearly a must-win situation for CSK after losing to Gujarat Titans by a fair margin in their previous game. They cannot afford a loss at this stage.
CSK’s batting has been a hit or a miss. The home side has not had contributions from the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Rachin Ravindra, and Sameer Rizvi. With the ball, the absence of key overseas pacers like Mustafizur Rahman and Matheesha Pathirana is being felt. In their absence, the bowling of CSK has been dependent on its spinners. Thankfully for them, the match is happening at home, where the spinners are usually having some assistance from the pitch.
RR is not in a good momentum. The visiting side has lost 3 of their last 4 matches and needs to win their next few games to finish in the top 2 spots in the table. Batting has been their big problem without a doubt. Their batting more or less depends on the duo of Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag. The openers like Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal have done well here and there. But after the dismissals of Samson and Parag, they have been nearly out of the game.
Also Read: IPL Points Table 2024 | IPL Standings & Team Rankings
Here is the strongest predicted playing of CSK for the 61st match of the IPL 2024 against RR:
Openers: Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane (Impact substitute)
At the top of the order, Chennai are likely to continue with the pair of Ajinkya Rahane and Rachin Ravindra. Rahane has been batting badly this season. The experienced batter has either had a negative impact on the side or has been dismissed early in the innings. He needs to bat aggressively like he did in the last season. The franchise does not have a lot of options to replace him. Hence, there is a need for the 35-year-old to step up for the side. As a fielder, Rahane has done a good job.
At the other end, there will be Rachin Ravindra, who too hasn’t been in the best of the touch. The Southpaw returned to the side during the game against GT but was dismissed for a duck due to an unfortunate run-out. The New Zealander will be backed for the next game, as CSK don’t have many options. If required, he can be handy with an over or two as well. The young all-rounder needs to be at his best as it will be nearly a must-win game for CSK to stay alive in the tournament.
Middle Order: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Daryl Mitchell, and MS Dhoni (WK)
CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has been in brilliant form in the last few matches. He performed well in the games against LSG and SRH by scoring a hundred and 98, respectively. In the last game against GT, the star batter failed in the run chase. Gaikwad’s consistency is the key for CSK to proceed further in the league. As a skipper, he has improved a lot. In the last few games, The team’s batting has revolved around him. Hence, his role as a batter at the top of the order will be important.
Daryl Mitchell is likely to be backed after a solid half-century in the previous game. In the absence of some key bowlers and the poor form of some batters, the franchise has no option but to trust Mitchell. He batted well against GT and was CSK’s best chance of chasing the total. The batter needs to be aggressive as a batter and play well against spinners.
MS Dhoni has been brilliant as a batter. He has 136 runs at a strike rate of over 225 at a batting average of 68. However, the 42-year-old must bat up the order and face more overs than he is currently facing. In the previous outing, he scored 26* off 11 balls, showing there’s still a lot of left in the 42-year-old.
All-rounders: Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mitchell Santner
Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja are two of the best all-rounders in the modern day. Moeen did not get many chances in the first five games for CSK. The Southpaw batted well in the last game against GT. It must be enough for the Super Kings but to back him. Additionally, the English international can be handy with his spin bowling.
Ravindra Jadeja was surprisingly promoted up the order against some teams. He needs to be backed as a pure finisher. In case of a collapse, CSK are likely to use Jadeja as a middle-order batter. In such cases, Shivam Dube will bat at number 5.
In two of the last three games, Dube has registered golden ducks. Otherwise, he has been one of the best batters in the league. The left-handed batter can smash both pacers and spinners well. Despite his all-round abilities, he has only been used as a pure batter by the defending champions. Another all-round option, who will be seen more predominantly with the ball will be New Zealand star Mitchell Santner, who can bowl some really economical spells.
Bowlers: Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, and Simarjeet Singh
The bowling line-up of CSK has been decent, but has been hampered heavily due to ouster of Matheesha Pathirana and Mustafizur Rahman. As a result, Simarjeet Singh, alongside Tushar Deshpande and Shardul Thakur are the Indian seam options. England’s Richard Gleeson is another pace option in the Yellow Army, and will be hoping to have a good outing in a must-win game for the champion side.
Shardul Thakur has had a decent time with the Men in Yellow. The Palghar Express has a golden arm and can claim wickets at any stage of the game, especially under pressure. Tushar and Simarjeet need to take more responsibilities at the death.
CSK’s predicted XI against RR –
Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (WK), Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh
Probable Impact Player: Ajinkya Rahane