Indian Premier League 2019 Match 1, Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

The wait is over. The IPL is here, bigger than ever in terms of budget and projected viewership in its history, and earliest when it comes to the start of the tournament – on March 23 with a clash between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Chepauk – to accommodate a gap before the World Cup and to minimise the overlap with the General Elections.

The two teams have had surprisingly contrasting records, especially over the past few years. Chennai, banned in 2016 and 2017, were ridiculed as “Dad’s Army” when the fielded a band of cricketers with age on the wrong side of 30. But MS Dhoni lifted the trophy, and retained the core for this season as well – despite the cricketers ageing by a year.

This time, too, CSK are the better team, not only because they are the superior side, but also because they can seize control under pressure.

Bangalore, on the other hand, have perennially depended on an absurdly explosive batting line-up consisting of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and – till a point – Chris Gayle. This time they have Shimron Hetmyer and Colin de Grandhomme, and once he arrives, Marcus Stoinis. But their weak bowling, combined with a bizarre tendency to choke in crunch situations, have meant that RCB are still without a trophy.

But their weak bowling, combined with a bizarre tendency to choke in crunch situations, have meant that RCB are still without a trophy.

Head to head

The numbers tell the story. Chennai hold a 14-7 lead over Bangalore, and have not lost to Bangalore since 2014, though that includes a two-year gap when Chennai were banned.

Key players

MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings): Not only did Dhoni lift the trophy last year, he was also as explosive as anyone with the bat. He averaged 76, had a strike rate of 151, and hit 30 sixes in the tournament. Add to that his lightning-fast glovework, especially to spin, and you will know why he is still Chennai’s MVP.

Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore): Even if Kohli does anything remotely close to what he did in 2016, he may end up being the difference for Bangalore. Kohli has taken batting across formats to new levels altogether over the past couple of years; it is time he replicates that in IPL.

Likely XIs

Chennai Super Kings: Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja,
David Willey, Deepak Chahar, Mohit Sharma.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Parthiv Patel (wk), Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers, Shimron Hetmyer, Shivam Dube, Colin de Grandhomme, Moeen Ali, Washington Sundar, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Prediction

Chennai to take field as favourites, but then, you can never tell with Kohli and AB around.