3 things CSK need to do right to beat RCB in IPL 2024 clash in Bengaluru
A high-stakes IPL 2024 match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be played on Saturdy at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. It's the final league game for both franchises.
RCB are in a must-win situation. To ensure a top-4 finish, Bengaluru need to beat the Super Kings by at least 18 runs or chase down a target within 18 overs. Meanwhile, CSK will grab the last place in the playoffs with any win, a no result or even a defeat by less than 18 runs or by taking RCB's run-chase to the final over.
The odds are in CSK's favour because thundershowers are expected in Bengaluru. However, if the game happens, here's a list of three things which the Super Kings need to do right to beat the Royal Challengers on their turf.
#1 Chennai Super Kings should urge Rachin Ravindra to attack from ball number one
Against Gujarat Titans at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB's Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli showed that attacking cricket in the powerplay can help deal with the pacers, who receive some help from the conditions in Bengaluru when bowling with the new ball.
GT openers struggled to deal with the new-ball bowlers of RCB, as the team managed just 147. In response, Faf and Virat raced to 92 in the powerplay. Although RCB lost six wickets in quick succession, they completed the chase in the 14th over.
CSK should urge Rachin Ravindra to play fearlessly. He should look to attack right from the word 'go'. Having already destroyed the RCB bowling line-up once in IPL 2024, Ravindra will enter the Chinnaswamy Stadium with a lot of confidence.
#2 CSK should consider playing Mukesh Choudhary
Virat Kohli has a phenomenal record against the Chennai Super Kings in IPL. He has been in sublime touch this season and also owns the Orange Cap. If Chennai want to win this game, they need to dismiss Kohli early.
In the 2023 season, when the Super Kings played at RCB, left-arm fast bowler Akash Singh dismissed Kohli cheaply. This year, left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman got rid of Kohli when CSK hosted RCB at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Since left-arm pacer Mukesh Choudhary has been present in the Impact Subs list, Chennai must think of picking him in the match squad to trouble Kohli.
#3 Chennai Super Kings should bat first if rain shortens the game
As mentioned earlier, there's a high possibility of rain, which could lead to a curtailed game. In case of rainy weather, captains generally prefer bowling first.
However, Chennai should bat first because of the net run rate scenario. If Chennai chase a target, RCB's qualification scenario will be to win by 18 runs no matter how many overs are bowled.
However, if Chennai bat first in a five-over match, RCB will have to chase the target in just 19 balls. If it's a 10-over game, the Super Kings will have to ensure that Bengaluru bat for 50 balls. This equation will favour CSK more because the required run rate will put RCB under pressure.