Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Match 4: RR vs CSK Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | RR vs CSK Dream11 Prediction Today | Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report

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Write them off at your own peril, right?

Chennai Super Kings once again showcased their capabilities in an outstanding opening game, overcoming challenging periods to register victory against their archnemesis, Mumbai Indians. Faf du Plessis produced gold on the boundary rope, Sam Curran had a wonderful CSK debut and Ambati Rayudu reminded everyone of his ability. Now, in a competitive tournament, CSK have the chance to make it two straight against a side that has question marks about them and key players missing.

Indeed, it is not the ideal scenario for Rajasthan Royals. Coach Andrew McDonald last week said that they could be at an advantage given their key overseas players have been in action in recent times. However, the absence of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes, as well as Steve Smith’s limited run in recent times due to a concussion, provides Rajasthan with a significant challenge to overcome. Their Indian core needs to deliver right away, along with strong performances from whoever is selected in the overseas slots, particularly Jofra Archer.

So, which team will prevail in the tournament’s first game at Sharjah? The boundaries are much smaller on this ground compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, so it will be interesting to see which team adjusts best.

Discover: CSK fan? How you can create your own customized fan jersey + 5 examples to check out

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Ambati Rayudu showcased his IPL 2018 form and the CSK fans were loving it. Can he back it up with another strong display here?
• How good was Sam Curran on CSK debut? His bowling (1/28), catching and superb cameo (18 off 6 balls) makes him an important X-Factor for Dhoni’s men.
• Faf du Plessis was also outstanding vs MI. His 58* (44) anchored the chase, after three catches, including two gamechanging ones, brought CSK right in the game.
• Shane Watson has a century vs Rajasthan in IPL, achieved two years ago.
• Rajasthan struggled against spin last season, so Steve Smith has a crucial role to play. He has been short of cricket recently, but has a strong strike rate in T20Is since 2019 (147.12). Also, Smith scored a century in his only ODI at Sharjah.
• Robin Uthappa could prove to be one of the great auction buys of IPL 2020. He has a solid career record vs CSK, with 538 runs at an average of 31.65 and SR 135.52.
• MS Dhoni currently has the most runs for a Chennai player against Rajasthan (423). Also, Dhoni was player of the match in both games against RR in IPL 2019.
• Jofra Archer was in superb form in Australia’s recent tour of England. He took 10 wickets across the T20I and ODI matches. He will be crucial for RR in this clash.
• As will Tom Curran. Curran’s bowling capabilities are well known (22 wickets in 14 matches in BBL 09), but he has also been in good batting form. He hit 37 and 19 in his last two ODIs against Australia.
• Deepak Chahar (2/32) and Lungi Ngidi (3/38) bounced back after difficult starts vs MI. Both are genuine wicket-takers.
• But, it was Piyush Chawla who initially halted MI’s early momentum. His 1/21 showed he has plenty to offer for CSK.
• Shreyas Gopal took 20 wickets in IPL 2019, the fourth-most in the tournament.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 22, RR 8, CSK 14. CSK have won four of their past five matches vs RR.
• Other than Jos Buttler, no RR batsman had a strike rate of over 120 vs spin in IPL 2019.
• Sanju Samson averages just 11.29 in seven innings vs CSK (79 runs). RR will be hoping he improves on this record today.
• Murali Vijay had a poor game vs MI. However, he has a decent record vs RR: 309 runs, avg. 34.33.
• Ravindra Jadeja has dismissed Steve Smith six times in T20s. Plan of attack for Dhoni and CSK? Also, Jadeja has enjoyed bowling vs Rajasthan in the past, with his best figures 4/11.

Possible Playing 11

RR skipper Steve Smith is all set to go after passing the necessary concussion tests. Yashasvi Jaiswal could open in the absence of Buttler, and is one Indian talent to watch out for in IPL 2020. He was player of the tournament at the 2020 U19 World Cup, with 400 runs at an average of 133.33.

Rajasthan Royals: 1. Robin Uthappa (wk), 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3. Sanju Samson, 4. Steve Smith (c), 5. David Miller, 6. Riyan Parag, 7. Shreyas Gopal, 8. Tom Curran, 9. Jofra Archer, 10. Jaydev Unadkat, 11. Varun Aaron

CSK have the option of bringing in another seamer, i.e. Shardul Thakur, should they feel they need another bowler on the small Sharjah field. Also, it remains to be seen if they bring Imran Tahir in for this game. However, given that Ngidi was in the wickets last game, as well as the fact that seamers have done well on this ground in recent times, Tahir could sit out again.

Chennai Super Kings: 1. Shane Watson, 2. Murali Vijay, 3. Faf du Plessis, 4. Ambati Rayudu, 5. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 6. Kedar Jadhav, 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Sam Curran, 9. Piyush Chawla, 10. Deepak Chahar, 11. Lungi Ngidi

Discover: CSK fan? How you can create your own customized fan jersey + 5 examples to check out

Sharjah Pitch and Weather Report

Grass covering saw the Abu Dhabi and Dubai pitches offer assistance for all. Bowlers have found movement, and batsmen (those who have applied themselves) have been able to score runs. The same could be the case at Sharjah, to ensure that the square copes as best as possible with greater traffic as the tournament progresses.

Pacers have enjoyed success on this ground in recent times. Pacers have taken 64% of the wickets to fall in T20s at Sharjah since 2018, which puts the spotlight on the seamers from both sides. The average first innings score in this period is 161, but teams need to reach 175 to win batting first – the team batting second has won 26 of the last 46 T20s at Sharjah.

A higher scoring game could be in store given this is a smaller ground than Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The weather will be hot once again (late 30s).

Fancy a bet on the cricket? today.

Dream11 Prediction

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Option 2:

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Match Prediction

CSK have an excellent recent record vs RR, and there is every chance that will continue today. RR are missing key players, whereas CSK will look to build on their excellent first up effort. CSK to win.

Thanks for reading!

Discover: CSK fan? How you can create your own customized fan jersey + 5 examples to check out