RCB vs CSK: Pitch report and match preview
What's the story
Royal Challengers Bangalore welcome Chennai Super Kings to the M Chinnaswamy stadium for match number 24 of 2018 Indian Premier League. CSK are being touted as favorites but RCB know they too have a chance. With Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni in action, fans have plenty to cheer about. Here is all that you need to know.
Toss factor vital
Pitch to be on the slower side
Team batting first will find the pitch slow and therefore the toss becomes a factor The team, which wins the toss, will likely decide to bowl first with dew coming into play as the evening progresses. Both teams have the personnel to make it a sound chase. According to reports, the conditions are set to be cloudy.
Two stalwarts
Focus on Kohli and MSD in Bengaluru
Kohli will be up against mentor and friend Dhoni and the focus will be on the duo given their status. The RCB skipper has scored 706 runs against Super Kings in 19 innings at an average of 44.13. The stats show his importance and liking for CSK. Dhoni has faced RCB in 22 innings and has 608 runs at an average of 32.00.
Riders on the storm
Two top run-getters in action
Suresh Raina is the leading run-scorer in IPL with 4,658 runs to his name in 165 matches. The southpaw was in golden touch in the last two matches and would want to keep his numero uno status intact. But he faces competition from Kohli, who has 4,649 runs. He has scored these runs in 154 matches. It's a difference of 9 runs separating them.
Numbers game
Stat attack - RCB vs CSK
Virat Kohli needs 29 runs to topple Williamson and retain the Orange Cap in IPL 2018. It would be another milestone for Kohli, who is set to captain for the 100th time in T20 format. He would become the third Indian and the eighth player overall to achieve this feat. Both teams have batted well in death-overs scoring at 12.12 and 11.24 runs/over respectively.