Match Details
Date: March 22, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM IST
Venue: M.A Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Live Ball-By-Ball Commentary: SportsTiger App
Match Preview:
The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League starts with defending champions Chennai Super Kings hosting the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium. CSK took down the Gujarat Titans, in a nerve-racking final in Ahmedabad while the 2022 champs eliminated RCB’s playoff hopes by defeating them in the last game of the league stage. In IPL 2023, Chennai and Bengaluru faced off once, where the Yellow Army registered a thrilling eight-run victory.
Weather Report for March 22
Pitch Report
Analysis
The defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, have built a great squad on the back of a solid core and an incredible IPL 2024 auction. But despite a victorious 2023 campaign, CSK have some glaring holes created by injuries to a few key players. The biggest issue ahead of the first match is Chennai’s death bowling, especially after the injury to Matheesha Pathirana. But barring that department, Dhoni and Co. will be favourites against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the season opener.
In contrast, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru don’t boast of a well-rounded squad which lacks consistent performers in their bowling attack. In a spin-friendly venue like the Cheapuk, RCB will depend on the services of veteran star Karn Sharma and Aussie all-rounder Glenn Maxwell while probably using the impact sub-rule to bring another spinner into the lineup. Similarly in the death bowling department, RCB doesn’t have great options in their squad. But one thing the Bengaluru fans can’t complain about is their batting, led by the experienced duo of Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli.
Key Players
Author’s Picks
Probable XIs
Chennai Super Kings
Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c) , Daryl Mitchell, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Mukesh Choudhary
Impact Sub: Shivam Dube (if batting first, replaces Mukesh Choudhary)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mahipal Lomror, Recce Topley, Mohammed Siraj, Karn Sharma, Akash Deep
Impact Sub: Mayank Dagar (if bowling first, replaces Rajat Patidar)
Fantasy Teams
Grand League
Head-To-Head
Best 14
Wicketkeepers: Dinesh Karthik
Batters: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Daryl Mitchell, Ajinkya Rahane, Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli
All-Rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Rachin Ravindra, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner
Bowlers: Recce Topley, Mohammed Siraj, Deepak Chahar
Disclaimer: The cricket fantasy tips and facts expressed within this article are the author's personal opinions. They do not reflect the views of SportsTiger. It is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn. SportsTiger does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
