IPL 2024: CSK host RR in must-win encounter
Chennai Super Kings are set to host Rajasthan Royals in Match 61 of the 2024 Indian Premier League season at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The Royals, who are coming off two consecutive defeats, will reach the playoffs with a win. Meanwhile, another defeat could dent CSK's chances of finishing in the top four. This will be the penultimate league-stage match for the Super Kings.
Pitch report and other details
Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium will host this duel on May 12 (3:30pm IST). It will be the first game of Sunday's double-header. Spinners could once again hog the limelight, while pacers will gain swing early on. Notably, CSK recently suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings at Chepauk. One can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network and stream it on JioCinema.
A look at head-to-head record
The two teams have locked horns 28 times in the IPL, with the Super Kings winning 15. RR, the inaugural IPL champions, have won 13 matches in this regard. They beat CSK in the final of the first IPL season (2008). Notably, the two sides will clash in only one league-stage match in IPL 2024.
RR: Probable XI and impact subs
Rajasthan Royals (Probable XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (captain and wicket-keeper), Riyan Parag, Donovan Ferreira, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, and Yuzvendra Chahal. Impact players: Jos Buttler, Kuldeep Sen, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tanush Kotian, and Kunal Singh Rathore.
CSK: Probable XI and impact subs
Chennai Super Kings (Probable XI): Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wicket-keeper), Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, and Simarjeet Singh. Impact players: Ajinkya Rahane, Shaik Rasheed, Aravelly Avanish, Sameer Rizvi, and Mukesh Choudhary.
RR will qualify with another win; CSK can't afford defeat
RR will qualify for the playoffs with another win. They are second in the standings with 16 points. On the other hand, fourth-placed CSK are tied at 12 points with Delhi Capitals (fifth) and Lucknow Super Giants (sixth). Therefore, CSK can't afford another defeat. It will be interesting to see if they drop Ajinkya Rahane, who has struck at just 120.11 so far.
