IPL 2023: 3 Key Match-Ups to Watch-Out in CSK VS RR Match No.17

IPL 2023: In their second game of the IPL 2023 season, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will host Rajasthan Royals (RR) in match 17 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on April 12 (Wednesday). This will be the first game between the two teams this season. As far as their head-to-head record is concerned, CSK is leading the way. Both teams have faced each other a total of 26 times in the tournament with CSK winning 15 games, while RR has managed only 11 wins. When these two teams met last time, RR won the game by five wickets.

Chennai has been CSK’s fortress. No other team has a better winning percentage while playing at home than CSK. The makeup of CSK’s squad is more suited to the conditions in Chennai. The MS Dhoni-led team has won two of the three league games so far this season. One of the two victories came at home when Moeen Ali and Mitchell Santner spun the game in CSK’s favor. Moeen Ali, who was the hero of CSK’s win in the last game at home, is expected to be back in the XI after missing the last game against the Mumbai Indians (MI). Ben Stokes’ participation is uncertain. Maheesh Theekshana has joined the squad and will be available for selection.

Rajasthan Royals have been the most impressive team in the 2023 season. Their top order looks scary as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler have been successful in giving them great starts. Sanju Samson has played his role at 3 beautifully. Middle-order batters haven’t got much time to bat but whenever they do, they have to make sure that they contribute to the team’s success. Bowlers have been brilliant, whether it is pacers or spinners. All in all, RR has a pretty balanced team.

IPL 2023: Top Player Battles to Keep an Eye On in CSK VS RR Game:

3) Yuzvendra Chahal vs Shivam Dube

This will be a mini battle. Shivam Dube has the designated role of being the floater in the team. His role is to take the attack on the spinners. It is something that he is used to doing and practices quite a lot in the practice sessions. Dube has a great strike rate against the slower bowlers. The left-handed batter uses the long handle to great effect. He is expected to walk in when the RR spinners will bowl in tandem. RR’s spin wizard Yuzvendra Chahal likes when someone tries to take him on because that increases his chances of taking the wicket. Dube will fancy his chances against Chahal and the leg spinner won’t mind if he does that.  

2) Sanju Samson vs Ravindra Jadeja 

Batting at number 3, Samson has been in tremendous touch in this year’s tournament and will be looking to get back among the runs in the upcoming crucial fixture away from home after registering a four-ball duck. Whenever Samson bats, his mantra is simple and that is to hit the balls bowled in his zone. Being a right-handed batter he will have to be a bit cautious against the left-arm spin of Ravindra Jadeja. has picked up 18 wickets in as many matches at 21.77. He is the joint third-highest wicket-taker against RR. Against Samson, Jadeja has dismissed the current RR skipper twice in the IPL. The hosts would be hoping to see the back of Samson soon as it would allow them to take control of the game and for that, Dhoni can use Jadeja.

1) Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Trent Boult

One of the leading run scorers in the ongoing season, Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored 189 runs in three matches at an average of 94.50 and once again he will be crucial for CSK. But it will not be very easy for the Chennai opener as he will be against his old nemesis in Trent Boult.

The Kiwi left-arm seamer has dismissed Gaikwad thrice in IPL history. Whenever Gaikwad faces the left-arm seamer, his footwork seems to be tentative and that is why he struggles against the left-arm angle. Boult has been in great form with the new ball this year. He has already registered double-wicket over twice in three outings and has recorded a total of 19 wickets in the first over of the IPL since 2020, the highest by any bowler. This battle will set up the entire CSK VS RR game.