IPL 2020- Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings: Preview, stats, players to watchout for
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Chennai Super Kings began their IPL campaign with a five-wicket win against defending champions Mumbai Indians on Saturday.
Rajasthan Royals, led by Steve Smiths, will hope to begin their IPL 2020 campaign with a win as they take on Chennai Super Kings at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Chennai Super Kings began their IPL campaign with a five-wicket win against defending champions Mumbai Indians on Saturday.
Royals will pose a tough challenge to Dhoni and Co. this year, despite having a poor run last season. Cricketing stalwarts like Steve Smith, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler have been in the top form currently and will be an asset to the Royals tonight. However, Buttler will be missing out the opening match.
The squad of Rajasthan Royals include Robin Uthappa, who could replace Buttler and is one fifty shy from getting 25 half-centuries in the Indian Premier League. Yashasvi Jaiswal will be the young gun to watch out for. Jaiswal was the leading run-getter during India’s run to the final of the Under 19 World Cup earlier in the year. He also remains the youngest Indian to score a double ton in List A cricket. He might even open the innings for Royals. Sanju Samson has been in top form for Royals in yesteryears, he will be expected to perform well this year too.
In terms of hard-hitters, David Miller and all-rounder Tom Curran could be a part of the playing XI tonight.
Chennai Super Kings players are confident after their latest win over Mumbai Indians. Ambati Rayudu and Faf du Plessis have been in top form and scored half-centuries in the previous match. Dhoni's form with the bat is still not known as he did not play many balls last match. Jadeja, Ngidi and Chahar are expected to lead CSK's bowling department. According to coach Stephen Fleming, Bravo will be missing this match too.
STATS
In the last five matches between the two sides, CSK have beaten RR 4-1.
MILESTONE ALERT
CSK skipper MS Dhoni needs 68 more runs to complete 4500 IPL runs. RR player David Miller needs one catch to complete 50 IPL catches. CSK duo Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu need 43 and 45 runs respectively to complete 1000 IPL runs for Chennai Super Kings.
Expected Playing XI
Chennai Super Kings: Murali Vijay, Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Deepak Chahar, Piyush Chawla, Lungi Ngidi
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Robin Uthappa, Steve Smith (c), David Miller, Sanju Samson (wk), Tom Curran, Riyan Parag, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat, Ankit Rajpoot