IPL 2023 Predictions: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings will face Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals in Match 17 of IPL 2023 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai today.

RR started off with a victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad but lost to Punjab Kings in their next match.

However, they made a superb comeback to thrash Delhi Capitals. As their margins in both their victories were huge, their net run rate is the best in the competition at +2.067.

CSK lost to Gujarat Titans in the season opener.

However, they beat Lucknow Supergiants and Mumbai Indians in their next two matches.

CSK are placed fifth on the points table with a tally of 4 points and a net run rate of +0.356.

Jos Buttler has been in good form for the Royals this season, scoring 152 runs in three matches. He is averaging 50.67 this season with a strike rate of 180.95.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is also in brilliant form with two fifties in three matches. He has scored 125 runs in three matches with a strike rate of 164.47.

Veteran Ravichandran Ashwin has also been a key player for the Royals with four wickets in three matches, at an economy rate of 6.42.

However, Yuzvendra Chahal has been their best bowler, picking up eight wickets in three matches

For CSK, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been the standout batter with 189 runs in three matches, including two fifties.

Moeen Ali will return to the side after missing the previous game against Mumbai Indians.

In his last match at Chepauk, Mooen picked up four wickets. He is also a brilliant player of spin with an IPL strike rate of 143.81.

CSK’s biggest match-winner is Ravindra Jadeja who bagged a player-of-the-match award against the Mumbai Indians. He has four wickets in three matches, including a three wicket haul against MI.

Unfortunately, Deepak Chahar is not available for Chennai Super Kings.

Their two Sri Lankan cricketers, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana missed the opening few games of IPL 2023 because of commitments to the national cricket team.

Both have arrived at the training facility but aren’t expected to play.

The wicket at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is a sporting wicket but favours the spinners.

Any score in the region of 160+ can be a competitive total.

Either skipper winning the toss may elect to bowl first.

Average 1st innings score:

The average first-innings score on this wicket is 170 runs. 

The team batting second has great record here, with a winning percentage of 80.

CSK vs RR Head-to-Head Record:

The first ever meeting between the two teams took place on May 4, 2008, at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

CSK was bowled out for 109, which the Royals chased down in 14.2 overs.

The two teams’ most recent meeting took place in Mumbai on May 20, 2022, with RR coming out on top by a margin of five wickets.

Chennai Super Kings Playing XI:

Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, Mitchell Santner, Tushar Deshpande

Rajasthan Royals Playing XI:

Jos Buttler<>Murugan Ashwin, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jason Holder, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal

Who will win

This is an eagerly anticipated contest between two very strong teams.

Both sides are packed with match-winners who are also in outstanding form.

For RR, Trent Boult, Chahal, Ashwin, Jaiswal and Buttler are the men to watch out for.

For CSK, Rahane’s return to form is brilliant news while they can rely on proven performers like Jadeja, Mooen and Santner.

However, the loss of pace spearhead Chahar is a big worry.

Our experts believe that RR is a more balanced side and will come out as winners.