Scratching for a win, CSK and RCB will fight tooth and nail: CSKvRCB pre-match analysis

Chennai

With nothing to lose and everything to gain Chennai shouldn't shy away from experimenting.

Both CSK and RCB are facing each other after a decimating loss against Kolkata and Delhi respectively. So, they are really desperate to get back to their winning ways.

Kedhar Jadhav needs to be rested for reason no secret. CSK was complained to not have groomed local talents. Well, this is the right time to experiment. Narayan Jagadeesan who played for Tamil Nadu and Dindigul Dragons (TNPL) needs to be considered.

Jagadeesan has a good strike rate of 111. He could be sent at number four to test how he fits and helps CSK in recuperating its ailing middle order.

Kedhar being an all-rounder and Jagadeesan being a keeper/batsman should be overlooked while switching them as Kedhar didn't contribute in bowling as well.

CSK has no dearth in spinners Karn and Jadeja are doing well even Faf with his leg break could chip in.

With Bravo's entry who has been exceptional in middle and death overs alongside Sam Curran, CSK has this base covered. Bravo needs to be promoted in the batting order, if it had been done in the match against KKR the complexion of the game would've been different.

RCB bowlers would be looking to strike CSK's batting right from the powerplay to unsettle Chennai, and they have the firepower to do so.

Adam Zampa may come in place of Lankan Isuru Udana whose deliveries were bludgeoned by Delhi batsmen. Tamil Nadu's own Washington Sunder is in fine touch, RCB would risk keeping him.

Dhoni having played with Zampa and Sundar for the Pune team in 2016 and 2017 editions of the IPL may smell what they are up to and that may place CSK in an advantageous position.

RCB is close to perfect with the batting, there is no consistent defaulter in that department. Even if not a dazzling knock, some important 20s and 30s come from someone or the other for them, that may have not been enough in some circumstances. But the point is RCB's batting effort doesn't ride on one particular batsman firing unlike their Saturday counterpart.

RCB however needs to be cautious with its not so impressive fielding, they've dropped some important catches throughout the tournament and have paid the price. Fielding is the strong turf of CSK.

CSK is in its seventh match yet to defend a score, if it wins the toss it should bat first. This is to see how the distribution of pressure works with the middle order while setting a score rather than a score to chase. Batting order of CSK should evolve and the responsibilities should devolve. That is the key for CSK's breakthrough in this season.

RCB no matter whether it chases or defends, it should make sure it doesn't collapse like in the Punjab match, because CSK's bowling is capable of doing that. And when Bangalore bowls, it should aim at attacking Chennai rather than just containing.

With both the teams desperate for a win having no reasons for complacency will look to unleash its potential to the fullest. Whether CSK like the lion insignia on its jersey lick its wounds and prowl or will succumb to the Challengers promises to be a compelling match.

CSK Probables (in batting order): Shane Watson, Faf Du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, N Jagadeesan, D Bravo, MS Dhoni (Wk/C), Sam Curran, R Jadeja, K Sharma, S Thakur, D Chahar

RCB Probables (in batting order): D Padikkal, A Finch, V Kohli, AB de Villiers, M Ali, W Sundar, S Dube, A Zampa, N Saini, M Siraj, Y Chahal