In the 44th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, it will be a south Indian derby between the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. CSK are almost out of contention for the playoffs as they have won just three games out of 11. Apart from Faf du Plessis and Sam Curran, none of the CSK players have managed to put up a good show.
MS Dhoni will be executed to pull off something big at least once this season, but his failures haven’t been easy to digest for the CSK fans. CSK’s batting and bowling units are yet to fire as well. On the other hand, RCB has been peaking at the right time as they have almost qualified for the playoffs. The likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have been complementing the bowlers well, with Mohammed Siraj registering his career-best figures in the previous game against KKR.
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With Chahal and Morris excelling with the ball as well, RCB will be eyeing a top-two spot. The last time these two sides faced off against one another, Virat Kohli slammed an authoritative fifty in what was a thumping win for RCB. Although Kohli and his are the clear favorites for this game, you can never write off CSK, who will be able to express themselves with freedom.
As the two sides prepare for a thrilling encounter, here’s a look at three key player battles to keep an eye on.
#1. Virat Kohli vs Shardul Thakur
Virat Kohli has taken it upon himself to deliver the goods for RCB. In 10 matches, Kohli has smashed 365 runs at a strike rate of 126.29. Twice, Virat has crossed the fifty mark, batting in his trademark style. RCB skipper’s ability to build his innings and go berserk in the death overs is a massive plus for RCB.
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The CSK pacer, Shardul Thakur has not been able to prove his worth for CSK as he scalped 9 wickets in the season so far. Against Kohli, though, Shardul will have his task cut out. The RCB skipper is one of the best players of spin in the world and will look to unsettle the mystery spinner.
#2. MS Dhoni vs Yuzvendra Chahal
The CSK skipper, MS Dh0ni has had a below-par tournament thus far by his own high standards but on his day remains a formidable opponent regardless of the format, such is his ability to fashion run-scoring opportunities. Yuzvendra Chahal has been RCB’s go-to man whenever they needed wickets and they will hope he can dismiss the CSK skipper early and thus increase their chances of a victory.
#3. AB de Villiers vs Deepak Chahar
On Sunday, Deepak Chahar will come across the might of RCB veteran, AB de Villiers, whose recent inning against RR has been something else altogether. Chahar has played just every match for CSK he has scalped 10 wickets in the 11 matches so far and maintained an economy of 7.23.
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Chahar’s economy will surely be challenged by De Villiers, who has so far played nine games for 285 runs at an insane strike rate of 190.00! He has so far hit 19 sixes and 21 fours in IPL 2020. The last time the two teams met this year, De Villiers was missed cheaply and now he will be looking take the revenge of the same.
