IPL 2018, CSK vs RCB: 5 players battles to look forward to
The Chennai Super Kings are in no imminent danger of slipping out of the top four but they would not want to surrender a top 2 spot and hence, they would be desperate for a win at home this evening.
Their loss against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous game was a disappointing one but today they will come up against another team who must be high on confidence. The Royal Challengers Bangalore are up to 5th place after their win in the previous game and with the expected return of AB de Villiers, they would fancy their chances of going on a run of wins.
On the other hand, this remains one of the IPL’s biggest rivalries and considering the sort of game these teams played out last time they met, the sense of anticipation around the game is going to be all-consuming.
Both teams boast of some of the biggest stars in the game and some of the battles that will take place today at Pune will eventually decide the game. Here is a look at 5 of the biggest battles that will take place today.
#5 Lungi Ngidi vs Virat Kohli
The contest between these two was a fascinating one during the South Africa-India Test series earlier this year and today, it will be reignited at Pune when Virat Kohli takes on South Africa’s young paceman Lungi Ndidi this afternoon.
The RCB captain is in fine form and has already made 349 runs in 8 games, at an average of 58.16. He is striking at 138.49 and if RCB are to win the game today against their Southern rivals then Kohli would almost certainly have to play a big hand.
Now, although CSK’s attack has not been particularly impressive so far, the addition of Ngidi has added some much-needed teeth into the attack and in his two games so far, the young South African has been quite impressive. In his first game, he picked up 1/26 in 4 overs against Delhi Daredevils and picked up the crucial wicket of Rishabh Pant to pretty much end the game.
He went at 9 an over in his previous game against Kolkata Knight Riders but he troubled the batsmen in his first spell and if he can do that again, then a super contest might be on the cards today in Pune.