IPL 2024: RCB, CSK meet with playoff berth at stakes
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings will meet in their respective final league-stage game (Match 68) of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). Though this game is a virtual qualifier for the only remaining playoff spot, RCB must win by a certain margin to go through. Interestingly, the two sides met in the season opener as well. Here is the preview.
Pitch report and other details
Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium will host this duel on May 18 (7:30pm IST). Batters will once again hog the limelight, while bowlers could be on the receiving end. RCB comprehensively won their last two fixtures at this venue. One can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network and stream it on JioCinema.
Here is the head-to-head record
As per ESPNcricinfo, the two teams have met on 32 occasions. CSK have won 21 matches with RCB pocketing 10 wins. One match ended without a result. Earlier this season, CSK pip RCB by six wickets as Mustafizur Rahman starred with a four-wicket haul. At home, RCB have four wins and five defeats against the five-time champions.
Can CSK end RCB's purple patch
RCB had just a solitary win in their first eight games. However, five back-to-back wins have helped them rise again. Their batters have particularly been brilliant with the likes of Virat Kohli, Will Jacks, and Rajat Patidar being in red-hot form. Meanwhile, CSK have been left with a second-string pace attack due to the unavailability of Mustafizur , Matheesha Pathirana, and Deepak Chahar.
RCB need this to qualify
With seven wins in 13 games (14 points), CSK are fourth in the standings (NRR: +0.528). RCB are at fifth with six wins and 12 points (NRR: +0.387). As per ESPNcricinfo, RCB must win by 18-plus runs, after posting 200-plus, to pip CSK in terms of NRR. While batting second, RCB must accomplish the target in 18.1 overs in case they are chasing 201.
Here are the probable XIs
RCB (Probable XI): Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal. Impact subs: Swapnil Singh. CSK (Probable XI): Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekshana. Impact sub: Sameer Rizvi.
A look at the key performers
With 661 runs at a strike rate of 155.16, Virat Kohli is the leading run-getter of the season. Rajat Patidar has five 50-plus scores in his last eight outings. With 583 runs at a strike rate of 141.50, Ruturaj Gaikwad is only behind Kohli's run tally. Shivam Dube has tallied 389 runs in the ongoing season at a stunning strike rate of 169.87.
