CSK vs RCB: Match prediction and likely playing XIs for IPL 2024 opener

NEW DELHI: Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings are set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening clash of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the MA Chidambaram stadium on Friday.

Ahead of the mouth-watering clash, legendary MS Dhoni "handed" over the Chennai Super Kings captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad.

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Gaikwad made his CSK debut in 2020 and has gone on to represent the team in 52 games. Gaikwad, a stylish opener, had a memorable run last year, aggregating 590 runs in 16 games at an impressive strike rate of 147.50. His breakout year was 2021 when he amassed 635 runs in 16 games.

1/7:Top big-money buys for IPL 2024

Getty Images

2/7:Mitchell Starc's record deal

The Australian is the most expensive buy in IPL history after KKR shelled out Rs 24.75 crore on the fast bowler and handy lower-order slugger. Starc took 16 wickets in Australia's 50-over World Cup triumph, including three in the final against hosts India.PTI

3/7:Pat Cummins leads Sunrisers Hyderabad

Australia's World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins will lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in his first stint as an IPL captain after they paid Rs 20.50 crore for the 30-year-old fast bowler.Getty Images

4/7:Daryl Mitchell's World Cup feats

The batting all-rounder was bought by the 2023 IPL champions for Rs 14 crore, a month after starring for New Zealand at the World Cup. Mitchell, 32, rose to prominence by scoring two World Cup centuries against India -- in the group stage and in the semi-final.PTI

5/7:Rovman Powell's explosive batting

The hard-hitting West Indian was the first player to be sold in the auction in Dubai as Rajasthan Royals bid Rs 7.4 crore. Powell scores at a strike rate of more than 144 in the middle order but his previous IPL record is moderate, with only 257 runs in two seasons.AP

6/7:Gerald Coetzee's pace attack

Gerald Coetzee's tearaway speed saw him finish as South Africa's leading bowler at the World Cup in India with 20 wickets in eight matches. The displays led five-time champions Mumbai Indians to pay Rs 5 crore for him to partner Jasprit Bumrah in a formidable pace attack.Getty Images

7/7:Harshal Patel's IPL journey

An IPL regular since debuting for RCB in 2012, the medium-pace raised eyebrows when he was the subject of a bidding war at the auction, ending up as the most expensive Indian player at Rs 11.75 crore. The 33-year-old took 32 of his 111 career IPL wickets in an outstanding 2021 campaign.TNN

Top big-money buys for IPL 2024

The 27-year-old from Maharashtra is not new to captaincy, having led the Indian team to the gold medal in the Asian Games last year. He has also led his domestic side Maharashtra.

As CSK are set to face RCB, who have failed to win a single IPL title since the inception of the tournament in 2008, TimesofIndia.com takes a look at the possible starting elevens of both the teams and prediction of match’s outcome:

CSK Predicted XI:

Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana.

RCB's Possible XI:

Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mahipal Lomror, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Siraj, Karn Sharma, Akash Deep.

1/8:​From RCB to DC: IPL teams who changed their names

Agencies

2/8:CSK vs RCB

<p>As the 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) starts from March 22, the season opener will see last year’s champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), facing off against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).</p>Agencies

3/8:RCB Unbox event

<p>With Virat Kohli’s RCB changing its name in their unbox event on March 19, it was yet another addition to teams who had decided to change their name over the years.</p>Agencies

4/8:Royal Challengers Bengaluru

<p>Notably, RCB have undergone a significant change, transitioning its franchise name from Royal Challengers Bangalore to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.</p>Agencies

5/8:Franchises altering their names

<p>This isn’t the first instance of a franchise altering its name in the IPL; previously, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad have made similar changes.</p>Agencies

6/8:Deccan Chargers

<p>Sunrisers Hyderabad, earlier called Deccan Chargers, changed their name to Sunrisers Hyderabad back in 2013.</p>Agencies

7/8:Delhi Capitals

<p>Following Sunrisers Hyderabad, there was also a rebranding of Delhi’s team. In 2018, the Delhi Daredevils franchise was transformed into Delhi Capitals.</p>Agencies

8/8:Punjab Kings

<p>Prior to RCB, the most recent instance of a franchise altering its name occurred in 2021. Kings XI Punjab rebranded themselves as Punjab Kings ahead of the 14th season.</p>Agencies

From RCB to DC: IPL teams who changed their names

WHAT RECORDS SAY:

The two teams have clashed 31 times, with CSK holding the advantage. CSK have emerged victorious in 20 matches, while RCB have won 10, with one match ending in no result.

In their last five encounters, CSK have dominated with a 4-1 lead.

At Chepauk, the teams have crossed paths in eight matches, and it has been a stronghold for the home team. CSK have triumphed in seven matches against RCB at their home ground.

CSK have been a dominant force at home and will enter as strong favourites in the tournament opener.