The Southern Derby pits RCB against CSK in a highly anticipated clash. Focus is on superstars like Virat Kohli and Sanju Samson, contrasting powerplay tactics, and CSK's young brigade aiming to bounce back from two consecutive defeats.
Virat's towering presence against CSK
The veteran batter looks imperious as an ODI-exclusive superstar for Team India. Coming into the tournament after an impressive ODI run, he peeled off 69* in 38 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the campaign opener. The two-time Orange Cap holder would be licking his lips looking at the prospect of facing CSK, being the highest-ever run-getter against them in IPL history with 1,146 runs in 34 innings at an average of 38.20 and a strike rate of over 127, with 10 fifties to his name. His record against CSK this decade has been strong, with 399 runs in 11 innings at an average of 39.90, with a strike rate of 135.25, including four fifties and best score of 90*. Against CSK in Bengaluru, Virat has made 389 runs in 11 innings at an average of 38.90, with a strike rate of 149.04, including four fifties.
Bhuvneshwar stands on cusp of history
The pacer is just one wicket away from becoming the second bowler and overall first pacer to have 200 IPL wickets. He has a fine record against Sanju Samson, who has not had a bright start as a CSK player, getting two single-digit scores. The RCB pacer has dismissed him four times in 19 innings and has let him score only 120 runs at an average of 30 and a SR of 126.31, as per ESPNCricinfo. However, Gaikwad has been much better against Bhuvneshwar, scoring 69 in 48 balls against him without a dismissal.
Contrasting powerplay approaches
Since IPL 2025, CSK have been powerplay laggards, with a run-rate of 8.70, the lowest among all teams. On the other hand, RCB have been second-best with a 9.94 run rate in the powerplay.
RCB's improving record against CSK
CSK have been on the receiving end of RCB's wrath and brilliance as of late, with RCB's record improving to 13-21 on the back of three successive wins since the must-win contest to qualify for the 2024 edition playoffs. This decade, CSK and RCB have been neck to neck, with CSK leading narrowly by 6-5.
Squads
Chennai Super Kings Squad
Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Rahul Chahar, Matthew Short, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Gurjapneet Singh, Akeal Hosein, MS Dhoni, Shreyas Gopal, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary, Urvil Patel, Aman Khan, Dewald Brevis, Zakary Foulkes
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad
Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Rasikh Salam Dar, Kanishk Chouhan, Venkatesh Iyer, Josh Hazlewood, Mangesh Yadav, Vihaan Malhotra, Vicky Ostwal, Jordan Cox, Swapnil Singh, Satvik Deswal. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)-
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