CSK vs RCB Today Match Prediction- Who Will Win Today’s IPL Match? IPL 2024, Match 1

The CSK vs RCB contest kicks off the IPL 2024 campaign in Chennai on March 22. The match starts at 8 pm IST. This is the 17th season of the cash-rich league. 

MS Dhoni will return to leading Chennai Super Kings in yet another IPL season. His former CSK teammate Faf du Plessis will lead the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kohli and Faf were among the top scorers in the last IPL season. 

Team Analysis

Chennai Super Kings 

CSK roped in six players at the IPL 2024 auction namely, Rachin Ravindra (Rs. 1.8 crore), Shardul Thakur (Rs. 4 crore), Daryl Mitchell (Rs. 14 crore), Sameer Rizvi (Rs. 8.40 crore), Mustafizur Rahman (Rs. 2 crore), Avanish Rao Aravelly (Rs. 20 lakh).

They have tried buying backups for a few players. They have been hit by a big blow with Devon Conway missing the first phase of IPL 2024 with a thumb injury. He missed the Australia Tests leading into the IPL as well. 

They have got their bowling well covered and playing their first match at the home game, it is their spinners on whom they would be banking to deliver.

Royal Challengers Bangalore 

RCB roped in as many as seven players in the IPL 2024 auction looking to strengthen their bowling. Alzarri Joseph (Rs. 11.50 crore), Yash Dayal (Rs. 5 crore), Tom Curran (Rs. 1.5 crore), Lockie Ferguson (Rs. 2 crore), Swapnil Singh (Rs. 20 lakhs), Saurav Chauhan (Rs. 20 lakh) but that does not seem to have solved the problem. 

The absence of a reputed Indian spinner in their ranks will add to the pressure. RCB released Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of IPL 2022 and released the likes of Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. 

The onus will be again on the batters to deliver with the top three of Kohli, Faf, and Maxwell needing to do the bulk of the runs. 

Key Factors 

Pitch Conditions 

The Chepauk traditionally has been a slow wicket assisting the spinners. CSK spinners will have a gala time bowling on this wicket while the lack of efficient spinners within the RCB setup might be a deciding factor. The venue has hosted 76 IPL matches with 46 matches won the team batting first and 30 batting second. 

Form and Fitness 

Form wise the batting form of Kohli and Faf will be key for RCB. In the absence of Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s form will be key for CSK.

Fitness-wise, Devon Conway has been ruled out of the first phase of IPL 2024 with a fractured thumb. There is no news of any prominent RCB player ruled out of the season yet. 

Also Read: Michael Vaughan challenges Virat Kohli’s RCB to win IPL 2024 after the Women’s team win the WPL

Tactical Acumen

MS Dhoni has been the master of winning games as CSK captain at the Chepauk. He has understood the Chepauk conditions the best over the years and chosen his players accordingly. The players have also stood up to the captains’s call. Faf having played alongside MSD for a decade should be able to understand how he thinks if he has to outsmart his former skipper.

Score Prediction

Recent Venue Records (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai)

IPL Matches Played 76

Matches Won Batting First 46 

Matches Won Batting Second 30 

Matches Won Winning Toss 39

Matches Won Losing Toss 37 

Average 1st Inns scores 150

Average 2nd Inns scores 119

Who Will Score Most Runs For RCB: Virat Kohli / Faf du Plessis

Who Will Take Most Wickets For RCB: Mohammed Siraj / Karn Sharma 

Who Will Score Most Runs For CSK: Ajinkya Rahane / Ruturaj Gaikwad

Who Will Take Most Wickets For CSK: Ravindra Jadeja / Deepak Chahar

CSK vs RCB Today Match Prediction- Who Will Win Today’s IPL Match? IPL 2024, Match 1

CSK have a 20-10 head-to-head record against RCB. Playing at home knowing the conditions better and with an astute skipper like MS Dhoni, CSK have all the makings of winning this contest. 

Conclusion 

Historically, RCB have won just one match at the Chepauk compared to seven by CSK. The challenge for the Bangalore side is to breach the CSK fortress which has not been breached often.

According to BetWay, the betting odds favor RCB over CSK in the opening match of IPL 2024, with odds of 1.14 and 1.53, respectively.

Also Read: Vijay Mallya challenges Virat Kohli’s RCB to win IPL after WPL triumph