FANTASY
Follow UsAfter being the first team to be eliminated in IPL 2020, Chennai Super Kings have made a strong come-back by being the first team to attain a “Q” in IPL 2021. Whereas, Rajasthan Royals who ended up seventh in the last edition, haven’t made any progress in terms of their standing in this edition. With four wins in eleven matches, the Rajasthan franchise are in a do-or-die situation where they need a win in all their remaining three matches to have a shot at the play-offs.
The Royals have a stiff contest ahead of them in match 47 as they are going up against a team, which they haven’t fared well historically in IPL. In fact, the win percentage of 37.5 percent against Chennai is their worst. In the last five matches as well, Chennai have the advantage with 3-2.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Overall: Matches – 24 | RR – 9 wins | CSK – 15 wins
Last five matches: RR – 2 wins | CSK – 3 wins
SUGGESTED TEAM
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Based on your preferences, the platform will guide you to create the ideal fantasy XI.
GROUND DETAILS
Considerably, it has been a massive turn-around from the last edition of IPL to this in all the three venues in UAE. At the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, on an average 163 runs were scored in the first innings in IPL 2020. However, the numbers have come down to 141 in this season. In the five matches played this edition, wickets have fallen every 24.8 runs and 19.6 balls in Abu Dhabi.
In comparison with the other two venues, spinners (32.7%) have had more percentage of wickets in Abu Dhabi. But, as is the case with all other venues, the pacers (67.3%) have dominated the wickets section. Their balls/dismissal ratio is 19.2 as compared to the spinner's 25.1, which is better in all terms.
SUGGESTED CAPTAIN
The champion is in the house and has his dancing shoes on. There is no better sight than Dwayne Bravo celebrating a wicket with his unique dance moves and off lately, that has been a common sight. The shift in venue in IPL 2021 has brought the better out of Bravo. In the last three matches he has picked up eight wickets at an economy of less than 6 and he has a wicket every nine balls. In comparison, he had only three wickets at a balls/dismissal ratio of 22.2.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts, Bravo could pick up 2-3 wickets and score 16-24 runs against Rajasthan
X-FACTORS
Chennai’s success this season has largely been because of their two openers. One of them is the young Indian opener, Ruturaj Gaikwad. The right-hander has amassed 407 runs in IPL 2021 at an average of 40.7 and a strike rate of 134.8. In the race for the Orange Cap, Gaikwad is listed at number five. In his last four innings, Gaikwad’s lowest score was 38. On the back of his red-hot form, he is an X-factor for sure.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts, Gaikwad could score 34-50 runs against Rajasthan
Gaikwad’s other opening partner Faf du Plessis is also a player who cannot be discounted. The South African has racked up 435 runs and is 14 runs short of his best IPL season. He has scored those runs at an average of 48.3 and a strike rate of 138.1. He has scored four 50+ scores and only two other players in IPL 2021 have as many. Undeniably, he is a must have in the team.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts, du Plessis could score 29-43 runs against Rajasthan
The bulk of runs for Rajasthan in IPL 2021 have come off the bat of their skipper Sanju Samson. Though his 50+ scores have ended up in losing causes, the wicket-keeper batsman is not to be ignored. With 452 runs, he is just two runs short of the Orange Cap holder, Shikhar Dhawan. He averages 50.2 in this season and has been his best season by far, in terms of runs and his average.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts, Samson could score 33-49 runs against Chennai