Last Updated on 2 weeks by Charbel Coorey
IPL 2021 Match 47: RR vs CSK Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | RR vs CSK Dream11 Prediction Today | Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report
Both Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings had a disappointing season in 2020, finishing seventh and eighth respectively. Fast forward a year later, and one side has completely transformed their fortunes, while the other is clinging on after yet another disappointing display.
The Royals have felt the absence of Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. However, the international talent in their ranks remains strong, but unfortunately Chris Morris and Liam Livingstone – two high-profile T20 cricketers – have not been up to the mark. Also, lots depends on the top order, with the middle unable to produce the goods, which was on show last game vs RCB as RR crawled to just 149/9 after a strong start.
KKR’s defeat yesterday keeps the door open for the Royals, but they will have to do it the hard way with the Super Kings, Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians to come in their final three games. Defeat here will surely make it too difficult for Sanju Samson’s men to qualify for the playoffs in a season that promised plenty.
To keep their hopes alive, they will have to get past a strong CSK team. MS Dhoni’s men are firing on all cylinders, with their depth allowing their batsmen to play with total freedom. Also, their prowess at the death this season, led by the likes of Dwayne Bravo and Shardul Thakur, makes them even harder to beat. Victory here will almost guarantee CSK a top-two finish, which is important in IPL cricket.
Also read: Take a look at how the IPL has changed since the start of the UAE leg
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Rajasthan Royals:
- Evin Lewis is crucial to RR’s hopes. After a strong CPL 2021 campaign, Lewis has started well in the UAE leg of IPL, hitting scores of 36, 6 and 58. His 58 vs RCB came off just 37 balls.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal has been another positive in RR’s UAE campaign, with scores of 49, 5, 36 and 31. Can he make another start and this time carry on for a 50+ score?
- Sanju Samson has the third-most runs of any player in IPL 2021 (452, avg. 50.22, SR 141.25), including two half-centuries in his last three matches. RR will be hoping Samson improves on a poor record vs CSK that reads: 11 inns 165 runs, avg. 15, SR 127.91. However, he did score 74 against them last season.
- Samson has two half-centuries in nine innings at Abu Dhabi (201 runs, avg. 28.71, SR 132.24).
- Rahul Tewatia has five wickets in three matches for RR vs CSK at an average of 15.20. He is wicketless in his last two IPL 2021 matches and has just the two wickets in 20 overs at Abu Dhabi, however.
- Mustafizur Rahman has been RR’s biggest positive with the ball since the resumption. He has taken five wickets in his last three matches (2/22, 1/26, 2/20).
- Chetan Sakariya took 3/36 vs CSK earlier this season. The left-arm seamer will be key in providing powerplay breakthroughs against CSK’s strong opening partnership.
Chennai Super Kings:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad has been consistent and classy in equal measure in the UAE leg. Since the resumption, Gaikwad has struck scores of 88* (58), 38 (26), 40 (28) and 45 (38).
- Also, Gaikwad enjoys batting at Abu Dhabi. In two matches on this ground, Gaikwad has made scores of 62* and 40.
- Faf du Plessis to make another 30+ score? The CSK opener has scored 31, 43 and 41 in his last three matches. Also, he averages 30 overall in nine matches vs RR (270 runs, avg. 134.33), and 40 in six innings at Abu Dhabi (200 runs).
- Moeen Ali was player of the match vs RR earlier this season, with 26 (20) and 3/7. Moeen’s role with the ball has been limited in the UAE leg, but today could be the day he bowls more overs given the presence of more left-handers in the RR lineup.
- Ambati Rayudu has been excellent in the middle overs for CSK, striking at 169.56 in IPL 2021. He will be aiming to improve on his record for CSK vs RR, which reads: 6 inns, 121 runs, avg. 20.33, SR 112.96.
- Ravindra Jadeja has been absolutely brilliant with the bat since the start of IPL 2020, striking 411 runs in this period at an average of 51.38 and strike rate of 159.92.
- Against RR, Jadeja has struck 140 runs in 11 innings at an average of 35.00 and strike rate of 117.65. Also, he has 17 wickets in 16 matches against them, including 2/28 earlier this season.
- Dwayne Bravo is in brilliant form, with figures of 3/25, 3/24 and 2/17 in phase two of IPL 2021. Against RR, Bravo has 16 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 23.94.
- Deepak Chahar has nine wickets in six matches vs RR at an average of 18.11. He has also taken nine wickets in the powerplay this season – the most of any bowler.
Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 25, CSK 15, RR 10.
- CSK (188/9) beat RR (143/9) with ease earlier in IPL 2021.
- No player has more runs in CSK-RR matches than Suresh Raina (656, avg. 28.52, SR 134.98). Given that RR lack express pace in their attack (if they don’t pick Oshane Thomas), this could be the day that Raina finds some runs.
- Shardul Thakur is yet to go wicketless in the UAE leg (1/29, 2/29, 2/20, 1/37). Josh Hazlewood was player of the match last game vs SRH, with 3/24.
Possible Playing 11
Rajasthan Royals have decisions to make. Chris Morris and Liam Livingstone have not delivered as hoped in the second leg, which may prompt changes. Also, Riyan Parag is under pressure to hold his spot given he has scored just 93 runs in 10 innings this season.
Rajasthan Royals: 1. Evin Lewis, 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3. Sanju Samson (c & wk), 4. Liam Livingstone/Glenn Phillips/David Miller, 5. Mahipal Lomror, 6. Riyan Parag/Shivam Dube, 7. Rahul Tewatia, 8. Chris Morris/Tabraiz Shamsi/Oshane Thomas, 9. Chetan Sakariya, 10. Kartik Tyagi, 11. Mustafizur Rahman
Chennai Super Kings are looking much more settled. The only changes may come about if CSK choose to rotate players.
Chennai Super Kings: 1. Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2. Faf du Plessis, 3. Moeen Ali, 4. Suresh Raina, 5. Ambati Rayudu, 6. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Dwayne Bravo, 9. Shardul Thakur, 10. Deepak Chahar, 11. Josh Hazlewood
Abu Dhabi Pitch Report and Weather
The average first innings score at Abu Dhabi this season is 141.4. Abu Dhabi is a good chasing ground, with the teams batting second winning four of five matches this year.
The forecast is for more clear and warm weather.
Dream11 Prediction
Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.
Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction
Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.
Base team:

2, 3, 4 player challenge teams

Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?
Match Prediction
Desperation may bring the best out of Rajasthan. However, CSK have too much depth and quality. CSK to win.