It’s the Southern Derby at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face off against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), with two of the biggest icons—MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli—taking center stage once again this season.
Even with rain looming, a full house is expected for one of the most high-profile matches of the cash-rich league.
Pitch Report
The M. Chinnaswamy pitch has traditionally favored batters, but this season has seen a shift. Both pacers and spinners have surprisingly found significant assistance. How it will play today remains uncertain.
Head-to-Head
Out of 33 matches played so far, CSK leads the rivalry with 21 wins, while RCB trails with 12 victories.
Three Fantasy Picks
Krunal Pandya (RCB)
After a match-winning knock of 73* (47) against the Delhi Capitals in the last game, Krunal will be brimming with confidence. He also claimed the crucial wicket of Faf du Plessis. In this crucial fixture, the all-rounder is expected to maintain his form.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB)
Bhuvneshwar claimed three wickets in the previous match, dismissing KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs, and Ashutosh Sharma. He will need to replicate that performance today, aiming to remove key batters like Ayush Mathre, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, and Dewald Brevis.
Sam Curran (CSK)
Curran was CSK’s top scorer in their last outing, smashing 88 runs off 47 balls. Batting at No. 3, he will once again carry the responsibility to anchor the innings. With the ball, too, he needs to deliver to boost CSK’s chances of winning.
Fantasy XI
Fantasy XI: MS Dhoni (C & Wk), Rajat Patidar, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Sam Curran, Dewald Brevis, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, Virat Kohli (VC).
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