IPL 2023 Predictions: RCB vs CSK

Royal Challengers Bangalore will host Chennai Super Kings in match 24 of the Indian Premier League at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium.

RCB got their 2023 IPL season underway with a win against the Mumbai Indians by eight wickets in an impressive display.

However, that performance was followed up by consecutive defeats at the hands of the Kolkata Knight Riders (81 runs) and the Lucknow Super Giants (one wicket).

Bangalore redeemed themselves by downing the Delhi Capitals by 23 runs to even their win-loss record.

Currently, they are placed seventh in the table with four points and a net run rate of -0.316.

Similarly, CSK have matched their victories with their defeats (2-2).

They opened the season with a loss against the defending champions Gujarat Titans.

CSK turned it around against Lucknow (12 runs) and Mumbai Indians (seven wickets) before losing to the Rajasthan Royals by three runs in a tight contest.

Currently, they are placed sixth in the table with four points and a net run rate of +0.225.

Historically, CSK have won 19 of the 30 matches played giants RCB since 2008.

It will be the fourth game of the season at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

In the first three games, the team batting first have managed to score more than 170 runs. So, in all likelihood, it will be a high-scoring game.

Key Players

Kolhi’s tremendous start to IPL 2023 has seen him rocket to an average of 71.33 runs across his four games.

The only time he didn’t reach 50 was against the Knight Riders, when he fell for 21 runs to Sunil Narine.

With a return of seven wickets so far, right-arm pacer Mohammed Siraj has been hitting the mark consistently in the opening four matches for RCB.

The other good news coming from the Bangalore camp is that star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has finally joined the squad and has replaced David Willey.

For CSK, injuries to Stokes and Deepak Chahar were a huge blow.

However, Ruturaj Gaikwad is in fine form with 197 runs win 4 matches.

The return of Moeen Ali, who has recovered from his illness, can prove to be a game changer.

They have seasoned campaigners like Dhoni and Jadeja who are capable to turning the match on its head against any opposition.

Key player stats

Moeen Ali: Match -04 Runs -49 and Wickets – 05

Ravindra Jadeja: Match -04 Runs -29 and Wickets -06

Tushar Deshpande: Match -04 Runs -DNB and Wickets – 07

Ruturaj Gaikwad: Match -04 Runs -197

Ajinkya Rahane: Match -02 Runs -92

Vyshak Vijaykumar: Match -01 Runs -DNB and Wickets – 03

Faf du Plessis (c): Match -04 Runs -197

Virat Kohli: Match -04 Runs -214

Wayne Parnell: Match -02 Runs -DNB and Wickets – 04

Glenn Maxwell: Match -04 Runs -100 and Wickets – 00

Royal Challengers Bangalore Playing XI

F du Plessis(C), Virat Kohli, MK Lomror, GJ Maxwell, W Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmed, WD Parnell, Dinesh Karthik(wk), Mohammed Siraj, HV Patel, Vijaykumar Vyshak

Chennai Super Kings Playing XI

RD Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, MM Ali, RA Jadeja, S Dubey, SSB Magala/Dwayne Pretorius, MS Dhoni(C), TU Deshpande, M Theekshana, Akash Singh

Who will win

CSK have a decent bowling attack but somehow, their batters have not shown consistency.

They are over-reliant on Ruturaj Gaikwad to provide them a good start.

It’s not possible for Dhoni or Jadeja to bail them out each time.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is in ominous form and can inspire the entire side with his performances.

With Vyshak Vijaykumar coming to the party, they have a potent pace attack that can rattle CSK.

Hence, RCB should win this easily.