Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals, Indian Premier League (IPL), Today Match Prediction 31 Mar 2019

csk vs rr Match Prediction & Analysis

Chennai Super Kings has been the most consistent team in the IPL history so far and they have started this season too in grand fashion winning two matches in a row.  Shane Watson and Suresh Raina played good cameos to set up the Chennai`s chase last match. Kedhar Jadhav and MS Dhoni completed the chase in ease in the last over. Their batting has not been tested in both matches chasing scores less than 150 runs. The bowlers look in good rhythm and are operating excellently in tandem. Deepak Chahar bowls his quota of 4 overs upfront and has been very economical. Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir and Ravindra Jadeja will play a big role this match with the surface favoring spinners. Dwayne Bravo showed class with exhibition of slow balls last match towards the death. 

Rajasthan Royals has lost both their matches despite being in great positions. Their batting looks in excellent form. Ajinkya Rahane`s and Sanju Samson`s unbeaten century set the match up last match to post a total of around 198 runs. Jos Buttler was excellent in first match scoring 69 runs. Their rest of batting faltered in the chase in first match and did not get a chance in second game. Their bowling is their biggest worry and SRH chased down 200 runs last match. Shreyas Gopal bowled an excellent spell capturing 3 wickets last match. Dhawal Kulkarni and Jaydev Unadkat has been found wanting in both the matches leaking runs at a good strike rate. Jofra Archer had a bad outing last match after an economical spell in first match. Ish Sodhi might get a game in this match as the Chennai pitch helps spinners. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Chennai Super Kings Preview

Key Players:

Suresh Raina – Raina looked in great touch last match unfurling a range of strokes before being dismissed for 30 runs. He is the highest run-scorer in the IPL history so far and called as Mr.IPL.  

Harbhajan Singh – Bhajji may enjoy bowling in Chennai pitch and remember last time he played here he won the Man of the match award.  

Stats from the season:

Suresh Raina - 49 runs, Strike rate – 132, HS -30

Imran Tahir – 4 wickets, Economy -4.8 RPO, BB – 3/9

Chennai Super Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Harbhajan Singh, Shane Watson, Dwayne Bravo, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav, Ambati Rayudu, Imran Tahir, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur/Mohit Sharma

Chennai Super Kings Actual Playing XI:

Dwayne Bravo, Imran Tahir, Kedar Jadhav, SR Watson, Deepak Chahar, SN Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina, Mitchell Santner, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni

Rajasthan Royals Preview

Key Players:   

Ben Stokes – The big Ben is having a silent start to the tournament so far. His bowling has not been effective and is taken for runs. He needs to step up his performance to help in Royals victory. 

Sanju Samson – Samson scored the first century of the season with scintillating display of stroke play. Lookout for Sanju`s batting this season as he looks in good form and rhythm. 

Stats from the season:

Ajinkya Rahane - 97 runs, Strike rate – 141, HS -70, 50s-1

Shreyas Gopal – 3 wickets, Economy -6.4 RPO, BB – 3/27

Rajasthan Royals Predicted Playing XI:

Ajinkya Rahane (c), Dhawal Kulkarni, Steven Smith, Jos Buttler (wk), Jaydev Unadkat, Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson, Krishnappa Gowtham, Rahul Tripathi, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer/Ish Sodhi

Rajasthan Royals Actual Playing XI:

Ajinkya Rahane, K Gowtham, Steven Smith, Ben Stokes, JD Unadkat, Jofra Chioke Archer, SV Samson, Jos Buttler, DS Kulkarni, S Gopal, RA Tripathi

Weather Conditions

Chennai pitch is on the slower side and both Dhoni and Kohli were not happy with the pitch on the opening match. Chennai pitch is known to help the slower bowlers traditionally with ball spinning early in the match. We can expect a better pitch this match and average scores of around 140-150 runs can be expected. Chennai has a hot and humid weather which may bring dew factor in the second innings.

Toss: WIN the toss, BOWL First

CSK has won both their matches chasing and Rajasthan were left to rue their decision of batting first in their last match. Both skippers will look to chase down the target set by the opposition team.