Last Updated on 7 months by Charbel Coorey

CSK vs RCB Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – IPL 2024 1st match | CSK vs RCB Dream11 Prediction Today | Chepauk Pitch Report

The two openers who helped lead Chennai Super Kings to the 2021 title now captain against each other. Ruturaj Gaikwad has been unveiled as the new CSK skipper, and his first task will be a blockbuster IPL 2024 opener against Faf du Plessis’ Royal Challengers Bangalore.

RCB have the batting to worry teams this season, and they will be tested right away at Chepauk. A solid start can work wonders for confidence, and early points on the board is vital even in the first game with a tight playoffs race expected. But, how well their bowling fares will be interesting to see.

For CSK, they have some injury worries but the big question is how quickly Gaikwad settles in as captain. However, they have plenty of experience around him and will be aiming for a big game in front of their home crowd.

ALSO READ: CricBlog’s 4 big predictions for IPL 2024

IPL 2024 1st match: CSK vs RCB Possible Playing XIs

CSK have some injury concerns. Devon Conway (thumb) and Matheesha Pathirana (hamstring) are out, while doubts remain over Shivam Dube (side strain). With RCB’s plethora of right-handers, CSK could look to play Mitchell Santner.

Chennai Super Kings: 1. Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), 2. Rachin Ravindra (OS), 3. Ajinkya Rahane, 4. Shivam Dube/Sameer Rizvi, 5. Daryl Mitchell, 6. Ravindra Jadeja, 7. Moeen Ali/Mitchell Santner (OS), 8. MS Dhoni (wk), 9. Deepak Chahar, 10. Shardul Thakur. 11. Maheesh Theekshana (OS)

Possible impact player sub: Mukesh Choudhary/Shivam Dube

RCB’s top seven looks settled. Virat Kohli returns to cricket and RCB have previously said Cameron Green will bat in the middle order.

The key question is the makeup of their attack. One of Lockie Ferguson, Alzarri Joseph, and Reece Topley will likely win the overseas pace slot, while Siraj and Deep are likely to be the domestic pacers.

If RCB opt for another spin option, they have left-arm orthodox bowlers Mayank Dagar and Swapnil Singh to choose from along with legspinner Himanshu Sharma.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: 1. Faf du Plessis (c & OS), 2. Virat Kohli, 3. Rajat Patidar, 4. Glenn Maxwell (OS), 5. Mahipal Lomror, 6. Cameron Green (OS), 7. Dinesh Karthik (wk), 8. Lockie Ferguson/Alzarri Joseph/Reece Topley (OS), 9. Mohammed Siraj, 10. Karn Sharma, 11. Akash Deep

Possible impact player sub: Karm Sharma/Suyash Prabhudessai

Fantasy Cricket Tips for 1st match of IPL 2024: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats for CSK vs RCB

Chennai Super Kings:

• Ruturaj Gaikwad averages 36.80 in six matches against RCB (184 runs). He has a good matchup against Mohammed Siraj in the IPL (39 balls, 53 runs, one dismissal), as well as Lockie Ferguson (29 balls, 56 runs, no dismissal) and Alzarri Joseph (25 balls, 47 runs, no dismissal).
• Gaikwad has struck five 30+ scores in eight matches at Chepauk. In total, he has scored 268 runs at an average of 33.50 and strike rate of 138.86 on this ground.
• Ajinkya Rahane smashed 326 runs at an average of 32.6 and strike rate of 172.48 in IPL 2023. Can he do something similar in 2024?
• In domestic T20s since the start of 2022, Daryl Mitchell has struck 340 runs against spin at an average of 37.8 and strike rate of 142.9. Expect Mitchell to go after RCB’s spin attack.
• Ravindra Jadeja will have a key role against RCB’s right-handers. He has a great record against Glenn Maxwell in the IPL: 51 balls, 70 runs, six dismissals.
• Expect CSK to test Virat Kohli with spin in the powerplay. At Chennai, he has scored 15 runs off 23 balls at this stage and has been dismissed twice. Step up, Maheesh Theekshana.

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

• Virat Kohli has 443 runs on this ground in 14 matches at an average of 31.64 and strike rate of 115.06. Also, he has 985 runs overall against CSK, and is just 73 runs away from surpassing Shikhar Dhawan as the highest-ever scorer against the Yellow Army in the IPL.
• Kohli has scored 68 runs off 49 balls against Deepak Chahar in the IPL (one dismissal). He has very similar numbers against Shardul Thakur (67 off 42 balls, one dismissal).
• Faf du Plessis was the second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2023. The captain hit 730 runs at an average of 56.15 and strike rate of 153.68.
• du Plessis has the sixth-most runs of any player on this ground (553). He averages 36.87 with a strike rate of 119.44.
• Glenn Maxwell strikes at 149.15 in three matches at Chepauk. He has hit two fifties in these matches.
• Since the start of 2021, Maxwell has smashed 138 runs in five matches against CSK at a strike rate of 186.49. With his bowling on what could be a spinning pitch, Maxwell is a handy captaincy option in Dream11.
• Mohammed Siraj is key upfront. He has had the better of Ajinkya Rahane in T20s, conceding just eight runs in 21 balls (one dismissal).
• However, Siraj has a horror record against CSK. He has taken just two wickets in nine matches since 2018 at an average of 122 and economy of 9.04.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 32, CSK 21, RCB 10.
• RCB have not beaten CSK in Chennai since 2008. Chennai have a 7-1 record against Bangalore on this ground.
• Shivam Dube has taken RCB apart over the past two seasons. In two innings, he has smashed 147 runs at a strike rate of 201.37.

MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai Pitch Report and Weather

According to ESPNcricinfo, the centre wicket will be used. This is traditionally a spin-friendly one. Chepauk hosted a Ranji Trophy match between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka last month, where it was a sharp turner. However, that wasn’t the centre strip.

The average first innings score in nine matches last season was 170. The team batting first won five of these games.

A hot and humid evening is forecast with no chance of rain. Dew is likely, so bowling first may be the go.

IPL 2024 1st match: CSK vs RCB Dream11 Prediction Today Match

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

CSK vs RCB Match Prediction: Who will win?

RCB are capable of achieving great things. But, CSK at home look strong. CSK to win.