Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2019 Match 1: CSK vs RCB Preview Dream11. Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview Dream11 Prediction

Preview co-written by N.S. Shekhawat

Here we are. The world’s biggest T20 league is upon us, and it promises to be a cracker first up. Who will make a winning start to IPL 2019, arguably set to be the most competitive yet?

Chennai Super Kings enter IPL 2019 as the defending champions. They were outstanding in their first season back from a two-year hiatus, going all the way under the guidance and leadership of MS Dhoni. They start as one of the favourites for this season’s title, with their batting line up looking strong. However, how their bowlers fare will also make for interesting viewing. Can their strong batting combine well with their bowling to continue their dominance of RCB?

There is plenty of optimism regarding Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2019. A franchise full of riches and excitement, it is incredible to think RCB have never won the title. Also, they have not beaten CSK since 2014, and you have to go all the way back to 2008 to see RCB beat CSK in Chennai. You can’t come to conclusions after one game, but RCB can give us hope that this season could be different if they knock off CSK first up. Their batting looks magnificent on paper, but will their bowling hold up?

Also read: 5 big predictions for IPL 2019

Key to a CSK win

CSK is mostly reliant on their batting, and that showed as they won IPL 2018 despite their bowlers being quite expensive. Shane Watson is coming off a man of the series performance in the recently concluded PSL. With Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Bravo and MS Dhoni in the ranks, CSK once again have the experience and quality to cause teams problems. Here, they will be out to target RCB’s bowlers at all stages of the innings, re-opening RCB wounds in the process. Can CSK get to those death overs with wickets in hand, where they can launch with total impact?

Also, how well can CSK deal with RCB’s own power? Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Shimron Hetmyer and Shivam Dube is enough to send shivers down the spine of any side. Deepak Chahar was mostly excellent in the powerplay overs in IPL 2018, and could be crucial here in getting the ball moving. With Lungi Ngidi, one of CSK’s best last season, out of the tournament, CSK have to combine well as a unit to dislodge RCB. Ravindra Jadeja, who took 3/18 last time out vs RCB, will be key, along with Dwayne Bravo in those crucial death overs. Can CSK get the better of RCB’s two big guns, placing pressure on the middle order?

Key to an RCB win

Despite what is an improved batting line up in terms of balance, RCB still need AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli to deliver. This is especially so with Colin de Grandhomme just landing in India, and Marcus Stoinis playing for Australia in UAE. The two greats can set the tone, enabling the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Parthiv Patel and Shivam Dube to play with freedom. RCB’s batting is certainly one of the things to look forward to in IPL 2019, and it will be interesting to see whether they can get the better of CSK’s bowling.

Also read: Can RCB win IPL 2019?

However, what will RCB’s bowlers deliver? Umesh Yadav was outstanding in the powerplay overs in IPL 2018, but his death bowling was so poor that how he bowls in the early stages will be crucial for RCB. Tim Southee, who has been in and out of New Zealand’s LOI sides in recent times, will also be key. Can they pave the way for Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar to put further pressure on CSK? Will RCB get early wickets, including Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu, and then pick regular wickets to ensure CSK can’t launch with confidence in the death overs? Remember, RCB failed to defend 205 vs CSK last season, so the bowlers must show improvement.

Possible Playing 11

As mentioned, Lungi Ngidi is out of IPL 2019 with a side strain. Mohit Sharma, brought in from KXIP, could line up, if CSK don’t go with Imran Tahir.

CSK: 1. Shane Watson, 2. Faf du Plessis, 3. Suresh Raina, 4. Ambati Rayudu, 5. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 6. Kedar Jadhav, 7. Dwayne Bravo, 8. Ravindra Jadeja, 9. Deepak Chahar, 10. David Willey, 11. Mohit Sharma/Imran Tahir

Also read: MRF Chase Master or Dwayne Bravo DSC? Top 10 Cricket Bats of 2019!

Colin de Grandhomme and Tim Southee arrived to India on match eve, so it remains to be seen whether they play. Shimron Hetmyer is set to make his IPL debut.

RCB: 1. Parthiv Patel (wk), 2. Virat Kohli (c), 3. AB de Villiers, 4. Shimron Hetmyer, 5. Moeen Ali, 6. Shivam Dube, 7. Washington Sundar, 8. Tim Southee, 9. Umesh Yadav, 10. Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. Mohammad Siraj/Navdeep Saini

Dream11 Prediction

Opinion: Dream11 IPL Fantasy is different this year with the new deadline time. Did Dream11 make the right decision?

Key stats and points:

• AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli were both dismissed for a combined nine runs in RCB’s last match vs CSK. However, no player has more runs vs CSK than Virat Kohli. Also, ABD scored 68 (30) vs CSK in the first meeting in IPL 2018.
• MS Dhoni vs RCB in IPL 2018: 70* (34) and 31* (23). No player has more runs vs RCB than Dhoni.
• Ambati Rayudu vs RCB in IPL 2018: 82 (53) and 32 (25).
• Umesh Yadav took 14 wickets in the powerplay in IPL 2018, the most of any bowler (econ. 6.70).
• Shane Watson is coming off a man of the series performance in PSL 2019.
• Imran Tahir is the only bowler in the CSK squad to have dismissed AB de Villiers more than once.
• Ravindra Jadeja took 3/18 in his last game vs RCB.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• CSK have not lost to RCB since 2014. At the MA Chidambaram Stadium, this extends to 2008.
• RCB have lost the first match of IPL the last two seasons.
• Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have a combined 15,301 T20 runs.
• Shane Watson scored 430 runs in 12 innings in the recent PSL.

Match Prediction

Fireworks to kick off IPL 2019.

RCB’s batting presents a serious danger. However, their bowling is a concern. Similar applies to CSK, but to a lesser extent, which is why they are defending champions.

I back CSK to win the first match of IPL 2019. However, don’t count RCB out, as they are capable of making a big statement.

Thanks for reading!

Preview co-written by N.S. Shekhawat

IPL 2019 Match 1: CSK vs RCB Preview Dream11. Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview Dream11 Prediction