Mumbai: After registering a dominating 10 wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore lock horns win Chennai Super Kings in the first game of the double-header in the Indian Premier League on Sunday (April 25).
Virat Kohli’s side is the only unbeaten team in the tournament having won it four out of four games so far. Their star-stacked batting lineup will be licking their lips playing at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and so too Chennai when they come out on the pitch in a scorching afternoon.
RCB showed a different level of form in the last game as Devdutt Padikkal (101) and Virat Kohli (72) 181/0 in reply to Rajasthan’s 177/9. Chennai on the other hand, managed to restrict Kolkata Knight Riders on 202 after Faf du Plessis (95) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (64) powered CSK to 220/3.
There is no stopping for RCB this season as their batters from top to down through the middle has been right on the money. Skipper Virat Kohli was the only remaining superstar to get some score under his belt and he got it in the last game. The only question that is wandering is how long the RCB skipper will trust Yuzvendra Chahal who has been quite expensive in all of the games. But considering their form this season, they will most likely go for an unchanged XI.
As for Chennai, Dhoni too will probably go unchanged as his side despite a scratchy start, made a fine comeback in the tournament. Moeen Ali’s floater role in the batting order has been a breath of fresh air with the English all-rounder proving useful with the ball also which could take a lot of load off Ravindra Jadeja. The inclusion of Lungi Ngidi too has been beneficial.
The second fixture of the day will feature Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Both sides experienced a rather poles apart campaign. While Delhi breathing on the neck of RCB and CSK at third, David Warner’s side has been cornered at seventh.
Delhi will come into the game having registered a clinical six-wicket win over defending champions Mumbai Indians in their last game. Dhawan(45), Steve Smith (33) and Lalit Yadav (22) led Delhi to chase down the target after their bowlers held Mumbai on 137/9. Sunrisers though opened their account with a nine-wicket win over Punjab Kings through Khaleel Ahmed (3/21), Rashid Khan (1/17) later Johnny Bairstow (63).
Delhi are the most balanced side on paper and they have proved it too with the results. Dhawan has been their talisman for the season piling runs at the top. Though his partner Prithvi Shaw didn’t get much last time, the youngster will be determined for a comeback. Avesh Khan has been going through a good run with Skipper Rishabh Pant might be opting for an unchanged side.
Hyderabad on the other hand will look to continue the form of the last game. Their bowlers have been the pillars this season with most of them performing quite well. Rashid Khan and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar will have the responsibility to contain the Delhi batting lineup. But it’s the batting that has been the weak link of the side. Jonny Bairstow and David Warner will take the majority of the load when they come out bat against the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Amit Mishra.
