Overview
The Chennai Super Kings will clash with the Rajasthan Royals in the 17th match of the Indian Premier League 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This will be the first meeting of the two teams in the ongoing season, and the winner will have a chance to climb to the top of the standings. For one of Rajasthan’s stars, R Ashwin, it also means a return to his home city, and the franchise where he first caught the eye in the IPL.
Both teams have had a similar run so far, having won two games and suffered one defeat in their first three matches. Chennai started their season with a five-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans, the defending champions. However, they bounced back to defeat Lucknow Super Giants by 12 runs, before thrashing Mumbai Indians, their arch rivals, by seven wickets.
On the other hand, Rajasthan began their campaign with a dominant 72-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, followed by a narrow five-run loss to Punjab Kings. They then bounced back to beat Delhi Capitals by 57 runs. Beaten finalists in 2022, they again look a force to be reckoned with.
Their top order is firing on all cylinders. Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson – the captain – and Shimron Hetmyer have all started the season on a good note. The emergence of Dhruv Jurel has made the batting line-up even stronger. However, Riyan Parag’s struggle to score big so far is a minor concern.
As far as Chennai are concerned, Ruturaj Gaikwad, their opener and Orange-cap winner in 2021, is in red-hot form. He is currently the second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2023, and the team will hope that he extends his good run against the Royals.
Will you stop watching this on loop?
“Definitely not” 💗💛 pic.twitter.com/WmT0DoDk2x
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 10, 2023
In a season that has already seen some heart-stopping finishes, this could well be another cracker of a contest. The last game in Chennai was a high-scoring one, and given the form of both teams, another big-hitting encounter could be on the cards.
Venue and Time
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. 7:30 PM IST.
Toss and Expectations
The first game in Chennai was a high-scoring one, though the spinners also extracted turn from the Chepauk track. The team that wins the toss should aim to chase, given the likelihood of dew playing a major role in the second innings.
Head-to-Head
A total of 27 matches have been played between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, with CSK winning on 15 occasions and Rajasthan 12 times.
Possible XIs and Impact Player Watch
Chennai Super Kings: Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Dwaine Pretorius, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C, WK), Shivam Dube, Sisanda Magala, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande.
It won’t come as a surprise if CSK drop Devon Conway to slot in Maheesh Theekshana, the Sri Lankan mystery spinner who has joined the team after international duty. Although Mitchell Santner has been brilliant with the ball so far in IPL 2023, he could make way for Moeen Ali. Rajvardhan Hangargekar can be a useful Impact Player substitute if Chennai are bowling second.
Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (C, WK), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jason Holder, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Rajasthan Royals are unlikely to make any changes to their XI, making Devdutt Padikkal (chasing) and Murugan Ashwin (batting first) handy options to have as Impact Player.