IPL 2021: Match 35 – RCB vs CSK – Preview, Playing XI, Pitch Report & Updates

The clash of Fire and Ice in the Indian Premier League (IPL), between Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take place on Friday (24 September). The two teams had contrasting starts to their resumption in the IPL. RCB endured a pounding against KKR, while CSK beat their archrival MI by 20 runs.

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RCB had a horrible batting collapse against KKR as they were shot out for just 92. RCB cannot afford to have another game like that. Their big guns Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Glenn Maxwell have to do the bulk of run-scoring and look to put pressure on CSK bowlers. Also, a good score on board might put some pressure on the CSK’s batters plus it will give RCB bowlers something to bowl at.

Meanwhile, CSK bounced back from a miserable start to beat Mumbai Indians, with young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad leading the charge with an unbeaten 88. Later, their bowlers led by Dwayne Bravo, who picked three wickets, were spot on with their line and lengths and restricted the mighty MI’s batting line-up to below 150. The win against a quality team like MI should do their confidence a world of good. They are currently placed second on the points table and will look to consolidate the position by winning against RCB.

Pitch Report

The match is going to be played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, a ground where generally teams thrive on chasing. The pitch too is decent to bat and both Kohli and Dhoni would love to chase after winning the coin toss.

Predicted Playing XI

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Srikar Bharat (wk), Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sachin Baby, Kyle Jamieson, Mohammed Siraj, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal

Chennai Super Kings 

Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood

Key Players

AB de Villiers 

Mr. 360 endured a rare failure against KKR but trust the South African batter to bounce back stronger. Often the former South African batter carries the RCB’s batting on his shoulders. But this season he has slightly been relieved of those duties due to the arrival of Glenn Maxwell in the team. The short boundaries at the Sharjah should suit his style of play.

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 Deepak Chahar

The powerplay enforcer for CSK again had a good outing against MI as his two wickets at the start derailed MI’s pursuit of 156 run target. Chahar has taken most wickets in the power play and skipper Dhoni has used him there even when the temptation might have been to save him for the death overs. With RCB relying on the top-order batters to score runs, Chahar would be ready with his bag of tricks.