Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals are set to lock horns in the 17th match of the TATA IPL 2023 at Chidambaram Stadium on April 12, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. IST. The whistlepodu community is pretty much happy with the fact that Thala Dhoni becomes the first-ever captain to lead a side in 200 matches against RR in the IPL. But there is something large at stake.
Both teams have won two of their previous three matches. It all comes down to the net run rate, with CSK far behind RR by a significant margin. While the Kings, led by Dhoni, are in fifth place on the leaderboard with an NRR of +0.356, RR is in second place with an NRR of +2.067.
In other words, a win would suffice for RR’s purpose of securing 2 more points. The same cannot be said for CSK, a team that wants to advance with a better NRR for the just-in-case situation where NRR becomes the unit to proceed in the tournament.
Ajinkya Rahane has a responsibility on his shoulders to continue playing the way he did against MI. Everyone was happy with a score of 61 runs in 27 balls.Not exactly an opener, Rahane was forced to act like one after Conway lost his wicket in the opening over.
Ruturaj Gaekwad scored 40 off 36 balls to remain unbeaten till the end. He is currently in the third position for the orange cap. The list is led by Shikhar Dhawan for his near-match-winning knock against SRH, where he scored 99 runs off 66 balls. The pain, we say, of losing the century is beyond expressing in words. Sports fans relate!
Regarding CSK versus RR, everyone in CSK is thrilled that Dhoni will play his 200th match as captain in the tournament. Ravindra Jadeja interacted with the media and referred to Dhoni as a sports legend. Jadeja also wished the captain good success and hoped to win the game as a gift for the captain.
RR enters their 4th match of the season with a 57-run victory over DC. The skipper himself, Sanju Samson, left the field early, knowing that the work was half-done by their openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Butler. Each scored 60 runs off 31 balls and 79 runs off 51 balls, respectively.
The winning line was ultimately crossed under the partnership of Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer.
RR has a stronger bowling lineup as compared to CSK’s bowling lineup. Both teams’ openers are skilled at getting the job done because the middle order consists of batters who can handle pressure. It could be a tough call at the best betting sites for cricket, with everything finally coming down to how strong CSKs bowling lineup is.
CSK has a stronger advantage because the match is being played at their home. RR, on the other hand, wants to head back to their region with a victory.
