The stage is set for one of the most crucial matches in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) goes against Chennai Super Kings on 18 May at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
The match will decide if RCB’s fight back from the bottom of the IPL 2024 points table will matter or if MS Dhoni’s epic finishes will take Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in another IPL 2024 playoffs.
Three teams have assured themselves a ticket to the playoffs – Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. And with six other teams officially out of the contest after 67 matches this season, game number 68 is all set to decide the final playoff spot with Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing defending champions Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
RCB head into the match with the edge, having scripted a fairytale resurgent run comprising five straight wins since April 25 which saw them move to the seventh spot in the points table. They currently have 12 points and a net run rate of 0.387. Chennai, on the other hand, boast of a better net run rate (NRR 0.528) and more points (13). However, Chinnaswamy record indicates that Chennai start favourites given that they lost to the home side only once in eight matches.
However, what has heightened the drama surrounding the game is the forecast of rain. A washout will take CSK through to the playoffs, while RCB will need to win by at least 18 runs or chase the target with about 11 balls to spare. Therefore, the odds are stacked against the home side, which is the most in-form unit in the tournament’s final stretch.
For RCB, former captain Virat Kohli has been in phenomenal form with three fifties in the last five innings as he is poised to ignite the field with yet another stellar show and consolidate his spot in the Orange Cap list. In the middle order, Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green have both showcased compelling form. Meanwhile, in the bowling department, Yash Dayal has been their star, picking the most wickets this season.
For CSK, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has been the team’s top run-scorer this season and is expected to give them a fine start. He will however need considerable support from both Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell at the top order. They will also hope that Shivam Dube gets back into his rhythm. He has failed to score in his last four outings.
In the bowling department, despite losing Mustafizur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana and Deepak Chahar, Simarjeet Singh and Tushar Deshpande pulled off a great act in the previous match.
Bengaluru’s weather has made the suspenseful game more interesting. The predictability of rain may force fans to take out their calculators and figure out how many runs or balls RCB need to replace CSK in the top four and make it to the IPL 2024 playoffs.
The IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST.
The toss of the IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings is scheduled to take place at 7:00 PM IST.
The IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings will be televised on the Star Sports Network in India.
The IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings will be streamed live on the JioCinema app and website.
