The much-anticipated IPL season starts with Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing in the opening match to be played at Chepauk, Chennai on 22nd March.
It promises to be an exciting encounter with Ruturaj Gaikwad has been handed the captaincy after MS Dhoni decided to step down. CSK has a great record in Chennai against RCB winning 7 out of the 8 matches they played at this venue. On the other hand, RCB has a strong batting unit which comprises of Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, and Cameron Green who can pose a big threat to defending Champions CSK.
Both teams have top-quality players that can change the course of the match. There will be some player battles that will decide fate and help their team start the season on a winning note.
Here we look at the 3 player battles between CSK and RCB in the IPL 2024:
- Deepak Chahar vs Virat Kohli
Deepak Chahar will be a handful in the first six overs if there is swing available. His ability to create swing can create doubts on the best batters in the world including Virat Kohli.
Virat Kohli is also returning to competitive cricket after missing the five-match Test series against England at home. It promises to be an exciting battle with both players returning to action after a long gap.
Deepak Chahar played his last T20I match against Australia last year while Kohli played against Afghanistan in 2024. Virat Kohli would be hoping to prove his mettle despite a lack of game time and get RCB to a flying start putting pressure on Deepak Chahar and CSK.
- Ravindra Jadeja vs Glenn Maxwell
Ravindra Jadeja has a wood over Glenn Maxwell especially in IPL. Jadeja has dismissed Maxwell 6 times. During IPL history, Maxwell scored just 93 runs against Jadeja with an impressive strike rate of 143.07.
The contest between these two players would be a thrilling one. Jadeja would be hoping to get Maxwell out again in the first match of IPL 2024 and get Chennai Super Kings off winning start. On the other hand, Maxwell would look to showcase his domination over star bowler and help RCB put pressure on their bowling.
- Mohammed Siraj vs Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been appointed as the new captain after MS Dhoni decided to step down from captaincy. Gaikwad had a brilliant performance with the bat last year and helped CSK’s aggressive starts along with Conway.
With no Conway as his opening partner and captaincy pressure, Gaikwad would be hoping to replicate the same success from IPL 2023. Mohammed Siraj can swing the new ball and hope to get the wicket of Ruturaj Gaikwad early in the first six overs giving RCB a perfect start.
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