Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Match 37: CSK vs RR Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | CSK vs RR Dream11 Prediction Today | Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report

After one of the most dramatic days in IPL history on Sunday, attention turns to a must-win clash between two sides whose respective campaigns are on life support. So, there is every chance that there will be even more drama today.

It is usually a given that Chennai Super Kings qualify for the playoffs. But, in 2020, a year that has offered nothing but the unpredictable, CSK find themselves in a precarious situation. KKR’s win yesterday puts CSK four points off the playoff spots with five games remaining, after a sloppy fielding performance and injury to Dwayne Bravo cost them dearly against Delhi Capitals on Saturday. Today could be the day that Imran Tahir finally gets a game in IPL 2020, and CSK will be hoping that he has a big impact straight away.

Their opponents, Rajasthan Royals, have lost two straight since their miracle victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad last week. Disappointingly, they were in a good position to win both matches, particularly the last one against RCB. Steve Smith, after finding form with the bat along with Robin Uthappa, made a fatal decision to bowl Jaydev Unadkat instead of Jofra Archer in the penultimate over, and AB de Villiers took advantage. So, can Smith respond well to help RR bounce back after such a defeat?

Earlier this season, RR beat CSK courtesy of a magnificent knock by Sanju Samson at Sharjah. However, that was flat pitch and small ground in an early season game. Now, it is the slower Abu Dhabi track and larger boundaries in almost a virtual knockout clash. Who will hold their nerve?

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Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Shane Watson has been in good touch in recent matches (83*, 50, 13, 42, 36). Also, Watson has a century for CSK vs RR. Can he deliver today?
• Robin Uthappa reaped the rewards of a move back to opener. He is coming off 41 (22) vs RCB, and has 543 runs in 22 career matches vs CSK (avg. 30.17).
• Steve Smith finally found some form with 57 (36) two days ago vs RCB. Like Uthappa, Smith also averages above 30 against CSK in his IPL career (11 inns, 291 runs, avg. 32.33).
• Faf du Plessis, provided he is fit enough, will be key at the top for CSK. He is coming off 58 (44) vs DC, and scored 72 (37) vs RR earlier this season. Faf’s career stats for CSK vs RR: 7 inns, 227 runs, avg. 32.43, SR 129.71.
• MS Dhoni is yet to find his best form in IPL 2020. However, today could be the day he delivers as he averages over 41 vs RR (452 runs), with a strike rate of 131.40.
• Should RR ditch the desire for a left-right opening batting combination? RR would be better served playing Jos Buttler at opener, as that is where he has the most success in IPL (31 inns, 1,179 runs, avg. 40.66, SR 154.71). In all other positions he’s batted, Buttler has scored just 399 runs in 22 innings at an average of 22.17.
• There is an injury cloud hovering over Ben Stokes. If fit, Stokes could offer more value in the middle order. His record for RR vs CSK is solid: 4 inns, 130 runs, avg. 32.50, SR 135.42.
• Ravindra Jadeja has been in better form with the bat than ball this season. In fact, Jadeja has hit 50 (35), 21* (8), 7 (6), 25* (10) and 33* (13) in his past five matches.
• But, Jadeja has a good overall record for CSK vs RR, with 15 wickets in 14 matches (most among CSK bowlers).
• Sam Curran was out for a duck and took 1/35 vs DC. He still remains a crucial player with both bat and ball. He took 3/33 vs RR earlier this year.
• Time for Imran Tahir? The 2019 Purple Cap winner has nine wickets in five matches vs Rajasthan Royals.
• Jofra Archer’s 0/38 vs RCB was the first time he has gone wicketless in seven matches in IPL 2020. The fast bowler has nine wickets in 10 games vs CSK, and will be key against CSK’s top order.
• Rajasthan have lost wickets regularly in the powerplay this season (27), so watch out for Deepak Chahar. He has seven wickets in four matches vs RR. Shardul Thakur could be used more at the death today – he has nine wickets in six games in IPL 2020.
• Shreyas Gopal and Rahul Tewatia took four wickets combined vs CSK earlier this season. Also, Tewatia is having a fine season with the bat (222 runs, avg. 44.40, SR 145.09).
• Karthik Tyagi has taken a wicket in each of his last five matches. His death bowling ability is excellent for a young bowler, and will be key at this stage again today.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 23, CSK 14, RR 9.
• RR beat CSK earlier this season by 16 runs. Sanju Samson smashed 74 (32) in that game. However, he has scored just 77 runs in his last seven knocks.
• Ambati Rayudu, who looked in good attacking form last game vs DC (45* off 25 balls), is just five away from 5,000 T20 runs.
• Sam Curran averages over 50 and strikes at 241 vs spin this season. So, CSK will have to decide whether he opens again.
• MS Dhoni will become the first player to play 200 IPL matches.

Possible Playing 11

Dwayne Bravo, according to coach Stephen Fleming, could be out a few days to a few weeks depending on the severity of his groin injury. Also, Faf du Plessis was involved in a strong collision with Kagiso Rabada vs DC and was feeling the effects afterwards. It remains to be seen if he is 100%.

Chennai Super Kings: 1. Faf du Plessis, 2. Sam Curran, 3. Shane Watson, 4. Ambati Rayudu, 5. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 6. Ravindra Jadeja, 7. Deepak Chahar, 8. Piyush Chawla/KM Asif, 9. Shardul Thakur, 10. Karn Sharma, 11. Josh Hazlewood/Imran Tahir

Ben Stokes was hobbling in the field against RCB, so it remains to be seen if he is fit for this match.

Rajasthan Royals: 1. Jos Buttler (wk), 2. Robin Uthappa, 3. Sanju Samson, 4. Steve Smith (c), 5. Ben Stokes/Tom Curran 6. Riyan Parag, 7. Rahul Tewatia, 8. Jofra Archer, 9. Shreyas Gopal/Mayank Markande, 10. Jaydev Unadkat, 11. Kartik Tyagi

Abu Dhabi Pitch and Weather Report

The team batting first has won seven of 13 matches at Abu Dhabi in IPL 2020. The chasing team is starting to find more success on this ground. But, with CSK’s chasing difficulties in 2020, batting first could be preferred by both teams.

Dream11 Prediction

Also read: How to create multiple teams in Dream11 and its benefit

Option 1 (if Buttler doesn’t open):

Option 2 (if Buttler opens):

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Match Prediction

Both of Sunday’s matches went into a Super Over, and this one could be very close, too. One worries if CSK are required to chase, so the toss could prove key.

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