RCB vs RR Preview Dream11. Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals Preview Dream11 Prediction
Two teams who have been in do-or-die mode for a couple of weeks now. One side is about to take its last breath, and the other is doing enough to keep hopes alive of a miraculous playoffs appearance.
Not even the philosophical, faithful Royal Challengers Bangalore fans can realistically believe they can make the playoffs. Despite four wins out of five before their defeat to DC, it has been another underwhelming canpaign for Virat Kohli’s men. It was another season of hope for RCB, but it hasn’t materialised. However, they can now be of nuisance value to their opponents. Will they end RR’s season?
Rajasthan Royals made a late run to the playoffs last season. They are attempting to do it again, and even though SRH’s net run rate boosting win over KXIP yesterday is a blow, Steve Smith’s men are still in with a chance. Their first win this season was over RCB, and they will be out to ensure their win over SRH last game isn’t their last.
Key to an RCB win
RCB’s death bowling made for grim viewing once again. Their poor last four overs vs DC was ultimately the difference between winning and losing. Here, they need a polished performance at all stages of the innings, with RR’s top order in good form – Ajinkya Rahane, Liam Livingstone, Sanju Samson and Steve Smith are all playing well. So, Umesh Yadav will be key in the powerplay, Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal up until the middle overs, and Navdeep Saini and even Marcus Stoinis at the death.
Also, can Virat Kohli play a big innings? He has had three low scores in a row – something so rare for the India and RCB captain. He and in-form Parthiv Patel can provide a quick start that pushes RR back, and remind them of their pace bowling worries from earlier in the season. If RCB do the right thing and bat Marcus Stoinis at four, RCB have a top four – including AB de Villiers – that can set up a huge total.
RCB vs RR Preview Dream11 – It wasn’t a good death period for RCB vs DC.
Key to a RR win
RR bowled nicely as a unit in their last-start win over SRH. The much-maligned Jaydev Unadkat picked up man-of-the-match, but the challenge for he and RR is to back up their effort well. Conditions at the Chinnaswamy are different to Jaipur, which puts onus on Varun Aaron and Oshane Thomas in particular to be as accurate as possible with their pace. Shreyas Gopal has a superb record vs RCB, so he can keep things tight in the middle overs, especially if RR make a strong start. Can RR get the better of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers?
Also, there was much to like about RR’s top four against SRH. Ajinkya Rahane and Liam Livingstone began with a strong opening partnership, and if they can replicate what DC did a couple of days ago vs RCB, it sets things up nicely for Sanju Samson, Steve Smith, Ashton Turner and Riyan Parag to play off the back of. Samson in particular has fond memories of the Chinnaswamy, belting 92* off 45 balls there last year. Against an RCB attack that continues to have its struggles, a big opportunity awaits RR.
RCB vs RR Preview Dream11 – Will Steve Smith lead his team to victory?
Possible Playing 11
RCB: 1. Virat Kohli (c), 2. Parthiv Patel (wk), 3. AB de Villiers, 4. Heinrich Klaasen/Shimron Hetmyer, 5. Shivam Dube, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Gurkeerat Singh, 8. Washington Sundar, .9 Umesh Yadav, 10. Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. Navdeep Saini
RR: 1. Ajinkya Rahane, 2. Liam Livingstone, 3. Sanju Samson (wk), 4. Steve Smith (c), 5. Ashton Turner, 6. Riyan Parag, 7. Stuart Binny, 8. Shreyas Gopal, 9. Jaydev Unadkat, 10. Varun Aaron, 11. Oshane Thomas
This will be Steve Smith’s last match for RR this season. It will be his 50th match as captain in T20s.
Yuzvendra Chahal is two wickets away from 100 in IPL.
Virat Kohli currently has 49 wins as an IPL captain.
Match Prediction
Huge game for RR as they look to keep their season alive.
It is hard to predict which RCB side will turn up in this game. Will they perform really well now that the pressure is gone? Or will RR continue their good run?
Feels like last season happened two weeks ago with Gujarat Titans – Tom Moody | Tom Moody praises Hardik Pandya the captain
Analyst and former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) coach Tom Moody has heaped further praise on Gujarat Titans following their second-straight win to kick off the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). Speaking on ESPNcricinfo T20 Time Out, Moody said the Titans’ ability to continue on from last season is an ominous warning to the other nine teams in the league.
“The quality of their bowling attack is quite formidable,” Moody said. “It’s nearly like last season happened only two weeks ago. That’s how it feels just watching them play, and that’s a credit to the management more than anything else because what they’ve done is manage to keep things simple, keep things calm and do what they’ve done previously so people could just continue in the wake of that success they had last year.”
Hardik Pandya’s body language as Titans captain a huge positive – Moody
Moody pinpointed Hardik Pandya’s leadership as a key reasons for Gujarat Titans’ record. They have now won 14 of 18 games since the start of their debut season, with Pandya creating a sense of calm among the playing group.
“Hardik is continuing to impress as a leader, he really is” Moody said. “Just watching his body language in the dugout, watching his body language on the field when things aren’t quite going right and when things are going well, he’s just very level. There is a lot to like about what he’s bringing to the table.”
“It’s nearly like last season happened only two weeks ago. That’s how it feels just watching them play, and that’s a credit to the management”
Tom Moody on the Gujarat Titans
Other pundits have echoed similar thoughts. Managing Editor of Aaj Tak/Sports Tak and Sports Presenter Vikrant Gupta believes the Titans have a formula other teams should aspire to.
“Gujarat Titans are the perfect template for others to follow. Rather than being dependent on just one or two, they come up with a new match winner every game. Some confidence. Some skill this. And credit to Hardik Pandya for all this,” he tweeted.
Gujarat Titans are the perfect template for others to follow. Rather than being dependent on just one or two, they come up with a new match winner every game. Some confidence. Some skill this. And credit to Hardik Pandya for all this #GTvsDC
RR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 8 | RR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction Today | Guwahati Pitch Report
Two first-up winners in IPL 2023 go head-to-head for the chance to keep their 100% record alive. 2022 finalists Rajasthan Royals showcased their 2023 credentials with a calculated, clinical take down of Sunrisers Hyderabad, whom many believe can challenge for this year’s title.
Jos Buttler was superb in the powerplay, and the Royals want more of the same. Yashasvi Jaiswal was also terrific, and is a dark horse for this season’s Orange Cap. Sanju Samson was as classy and impactful as ever, followed up by the Royals’ efficient attack led by the brilliant Yuzvendra Chahal and Trent Boult.
If Punjab Kings are to knock them over in this clash, they’ll have to be even better than they were against KKR on Saturday. It was a solid all-round display against the Knight Riders, but consistency is the next step for the Kings. Last season, they failed to win two consecutive matches, ultimately costing them a playoffs’ spot. Here is a great chance to right that wrong by beating a highly-rated team in IPL 2023.
RR have won four of the past five matches against PBKS. Can Punjab add another victory to turn this recent record around?
Match Details
Location: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.
Time: 7:30pm (IST).
For more cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.
IPL 2023 Match 8: RR vs PBKS Possible Playing XIs
Rajasthan Royals could stick with the same XI. Their team is built perfectly for the Impact Player rule, so they may start with a specialist bowler over Devdutt Padikkal if they bowl first and vice versa.
Kagiso Rabada has joined the PBKS squad after South Africa’s two ODIs against the Netherlands. Whether he is ready to go for this match remains to be seen.
Since the start of IPL 2018, Jos Buttler has smashed 306 runs against Punjab at an average of 43.71 and strike rate of 150.
In all T20s, Buttler has great numbers against Rabada (56 balls, 96 runs, one dismissal).
Yashasvi Jaiswal has struck scores of 68 and 49 at a strike rate of 151.95 against Punjab. He was player of the match against them last season.
Sanju Samson has the most runs in RR-PBKS matches. The captain has belted 552 runs in 15 innings at an average of 46.00 and strike rate of 152.91.
Samson has hit 49 off just 26 balls against Arshdeep (one dismissal), 26 off 17 against Rabada (one dismissal) and 44 off 28 against Rahul Chahar (one dismissal).
Trent Boult started IPL 2023 brilliantly, with two wickets in his first over against SRH. However, he has historically struggled against PBKS, with eight wickets in ten matches at an average of 42.63 and economy of 9.34.
Yuzvendra Chahal is on fire. The classy legspinner has taken 31 wickets in his last 18 IPL matches, including 4/17 against SRH and 3/28 against PBKS last season.
Chahal career record vs PBKS: 17 matches, 28 wickets, avg. 16.25, SR 12.46.
Punjab Kings:
Shikhar Dhawan has scored 576 runs against RR at an average of 28.80 and strike rate of 126.59. He has good numbers in T20s against Trent Boult, with 102 runs in 81 balls (two dismissals).
Jitesh Sharma hit 38* off 18 balls against RR last season. When batting at number five in T20s, Jitesh has scored 406 runs at an average of 58.00 and strike rate of 196.14.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa showcased what he is capable of in the first match against KKR. The hard-hitting left-hander hit 50 off 32 balls.
Arshdeep Singh was outstanding in Punjab’s first game. He took 3/18. Also, he has an good wicket-taking record against RR, with 12 wickets in five matches at an average of 14.42.
Arshdeep has dismissed Buttler once in 20 balls and has only conceded 20 runs. He has also dismissed Jaiswal once in five balls (two runs).
Sam Curran made a promising start to life as the most expensive IPL player. He struck 26* (17) and took 1/38 against KKR. Something to build on.
Kagiso Rabada has taken ten wickets in six matches against Royals (avg. 20.60, SR 14.20).
Watch out for Prabhsimran Singh, who hit an impressive 23 off 12 balls against KKR. He was dismissed in unlucky fashion down the legside.
Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati Pitch Report and Weather
The Royals will play their first two home matches at Guwahati before moving to Sawai Masingh Stadium in Jaipur. Expect a true, fresh pitch for this clash. Last year, India (237/3) and South Africa (221/3) played out a very high-scoring T20I. Kagiso Rabada took 0/57 in four overs, Arshdeep Singh 2/62 and R Ashwin 0/37.
A warm and mostly clear evening is forecast, so the captain who wins the toss is likely to field with dew and the relatively small ground dimensions.
IPL 2023 Match 8: RR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction Today Match 5 April 2023
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:
Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
Wicket-keepers: Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson
Batters: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shikhar Dhawan
All-rounders: Sam Curran
Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh
IPL 2023 Match 8: RR vs PBKS Match Prediction – Who will win?
Punjab are capable of winning, but expect Rajasthan to prevail, especially if they chase.
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
The West Indian has been in blistering form to begin the season, smashing 73 (38) and 53 (22) against Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings respectively. All of a sudden, LSG’s overseas combination of Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran and Mark Wood doesn’t look so set, which management required to make a decision with de Kock now available after South Africa’s successful ODI series against Netherlands.
Kyle Mayers madness in the IPL!
– 73 (38) in the first match. – 53* (21) in this match.
– Unbelievable impact by Mayers, he got an opportunity in the opening department and he proved himself! pic.twitter.com/hQhuVgxTuD
Should the LSG management keep Kyle Mayers in the XI?
Dropping Kyle Mayers would be a risky move. However, leaving out the excellent Quinton de Kock, who recently smashed 100 off 44 balls against West Indies, is also a risk.
Another option would be to bat KL Rahul at three. But, it must be remembered that Rahul and de Kock combined for 1,124 runs in IPL 2022, so LSG may not be willing to break that opening combination with both available.
So, the spotlight is on Marcus Stoinis, who has made a bit of a slow start to the campaign. The all-rounder offers plenty of value in T20 cricket, especially as a finisher. Since the start of 2020, Stoinis has a strike rate of 180.7 between overs 17 and 20 in the IPL. However, with LSG already containing the likes of Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni, plus a number of bowling options, LSG may be tempted to play de Kock and move Mayers down to three.
Possible LSG XI without Marcus Stoinis: 1. KL Rahul (c), 2. Quinton de Kock (OS & wk), 3. Kyle Mayers (OS), 4. Deepak Hooda, 5. Nicholas Pooran (OS), 6. Ayush Badoni, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Krishnappa Gotham, 9. Mark Wood (OS), 10. Yash Thakur/Jaydev Unadkat, 11. Ravi Bishnoi
This XI also creates a question around Deepak Hooda’s role. He too has made a slow start to IPL 2023, but moving him down to four isn’t the worst move. In 28 T20s batting at four, Hooda has scored 823 runs at an average of 35.78 and strike rate of 146.18.
LSG have Sunrisers Hyderabad up next, who themselves are looking to bounce back after a thumping defeat at the hands of Rajasthan Royals. de Kock has scored 372 runs in 11 matches against SRH at an average of 37.20 and strike rate of 130.99, including three fifties.
Given the way SRH’s bowlers started against the Royals, a top three of Rahul, de Kock and Mayers can certainly be very damaging.
Cricket News: Tom Moody: Mumbai Indians will be nowhere near the finals | Tom Moody says there are too many gaps in MI team
Former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Tom Moody believes that there are far too many holes in the Mumbai Indians (MI) squad for them to make it to the finals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year. Moody criticised the five-time IPL champions’ auction strategy as he explained that the balance of their overseas contingent is too lopsided at the moment.
MI fought their way to 171 courtesy a terrific knock of 84 runs from Tilak Varma after their top-order completely crumbled. However, the bowling unit showed no bite as RCB’s opening duo of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis took them to the cleaners, stitching a 148 run partnership in merely 15 overs. Mumbai are already missing their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in this campaign and star recruit Jofra Archer did not appear to be in the best of rhythm on Sunday.
Tom Moody – too many holes in the MI squad
“I am concerned (for MI) because I sort of called it before the start of the IPL that I didn’t think they’d be anywhere near the finals. I just feel there are too many holes amongst their team and I don’t think they’ve got a balance in their squad either. They don’t have the domestic bowling depth and the international bowling depth,” Moody said in the ESPNcricinfo T20 time out show in the aftermath of Mumbai’s loss against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.
Mumbai will return back to their home turf to square off against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 8 but Moody is not too optimistic of their fortunes in the ongoing season.
“They don’t have balance with their overseas players either. They’ve got a lot of power-hitters and young power-hitters in Brevis, Stubbs and David. Three of them are taking up the eight slots that you’re given. That doesn’t make sense to me. You can see tonight just with RCB how important experience is. Where is the experience in that squad?” the former Australian pacer mentioned.
In addition to the lack of quality pacers, Mumbai are missing top spin bowling options in their ranks as well. They did not replace Rahul Chahar appropriately in the mega auction prior to IPL 2022 and have acquired Piyush Chawla for this year.
Do you think MI can turnaround their form in the mega encounter against CSK on Saturday? Do let us know by tweeting @cric_blog.
On The CricBlog Podcast, we debate whether Mumbai indians will make the IPL 2023 playoffs. Watch here or below!
DC vs GT Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 7 | DC vs GT Dream11 Prediction Today | Delhi Pitch Report
IPL without Rishabh Pant did not start well for Delhi Capitals, losing convincingly to Lucknow over the weekend. The silver lining for Capitals fans today is that Delhi regularly responded to defeats last season, often winning after losing. David Warner, Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly is an excellent leadership core, so expect a bounceback by DC today.
However, it won’t be easy. Champions Gujarat Titans started 2023 in the same manner, with an efficient last-over win on IPL 2023’s opening night. The loss of Kane Williamson to an injury is a blow to both he and the franchise, but the Titans have the core and depth to cover effectively. Today will be a good test away at Delhi, with eyes on how the Capitals tackle Rashid Khan on a pitch that could provide some assistance for the spinners.
On The CricBlog Podcast, we shared our predictions for the IPL season. Watch here or below!
Match Details
Feroz Kotla Shah Stadium, Delhi.
Time: 7:30pm (IST).
For more cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.
IPL 2023 Match 7: DC vs GT Possible Playing XIs
DC may stick with the same playing XI that lost to LSG. South Africa’s series against the Netherlands finished on Sunday, but Anrich Norje is set to play according to cricbuzz.
Mustafizur Rahman is with the squad, and he is an option for DC. He took 3/23 against GT last season.
Delhi Capitals: 1. David Warner (OS & c), 2. Prithvi Shaw, 3. Mitchell Marsh (OS), 4. Aman Khan, 5. Sarfaraz Khan (wk), 6. Rovman Powell (OS), 7. Axar Patel, 8. Kuldeep Yadav, 9. Chetan Sekariya, 10. Anrich Nortje (OS), 11. Khaleel Ahmed
Kane Williamson out of IPL 2023 due to injury. According to cricbuzz, David Miller should be available for the match. If he is not, then GT may play Matthew Wade.
Also, GT may play an extra spinner, i.e. R Sai Kishore or Jayant Yadav, if the pitch is on the dry side.
Gujarat Titans: 1. Shubman Gill, 2. Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 3. Sai Sudharsan, 4. Hardik Pandya (c), 5. David Miller/Matthew Wade (OS), 6. Rahul Tewatia, 7. Rashid Khan (OS), 8. Mohammed Shami, 9. Josh Little (OS), 10. Yash Dayal/R Sai Kishore/Jayant Yadav, 11. Alzarri Joseph (OS)
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Delhi Capitals:
David Warner averages 30.56 with a strike rate of 122.59 in 31 matches on this ground. Also, he has scored an impressive 99 runs off 68 balls against Mohammed Shami in T20s, dismissed twice.
Prithvi Shaw also has solid numbers against Shami. He has been dismissed once, but has scored 40 off 28 balls.
Shaw at Feroz Shah Kotla: 14 inns, 364 runs, avg. 26.00, SR 143.31.
Mitchell Marsh had a superb recent ODI series against India. He smashed 194 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 131.08.
Khaleel Ahmed was impressive in the powerplay against LSG. He will be key against Shubman Gill, whom he has dismissed twice in 25 deliveries in the IPL (38 runs). He has also dismissed Hardik Pandya twice in eight balls.
Kuldeep Yadav has taken 28 wickets in 22 T20s since the start of 2022. He is averaging 20.71, and he should enjoy conditions at Delhi.
Gujarat Titans:
Shubman Gill started IPL 2023 in strong fashion with 63 vs CSK. Last season against DC, he smashed 84 off 46 balls. Overall against Delhi, Gill has scored 352 runs in ten matches at an average of 35.20 and strike rate of 129.89.
Gill has never been dismissed by DC’s spin duo Axar (72 off 51 balls) and Kuldeep (29 off 18 balls). So, getting through the powerplay will be key.
Hardik Pandya, who struck the fourth-most runs in IPL 2022 (487), strikes at 195.71 in eight innings at the Feroz Shah Kotla (137 runs).
Gujarat may keep overs for Rashid Khan to use against Rovman Powell. Since the start of 2022, Powell has been dismissed 12 times in 202 deliveries against legspin (247 runs).
Mohammed Shami has taken 22 wickets in 17 IPL innings since the start of 2022. He is striking every 17.7 deliveries.
12 of Shami’s 22 wickets have come in the powerplay. He is conceding just 6.60 per over in this phase. So, his battle against the DC top order promises to be fascinating.
Alzarri Joseph has taken 59 wickets in just 41 T20s since the start of 2022. 18 of these wickets have come between overs 7-16, where he was excellent in the first game against CSK.
Other Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 1, DC 0, GT 1.
David Warner has never faced Rashid Khan in T20s. In ODIs, he has faced 26 balls and scored 30 runs without dismissal.
Rovman Powell is striking at 200 between overs 17 and 20 in franchise T20s this year.
Hardik Pandya (SR 116), Vijay Shankar (SR 114) and Rahul Tewatia (SR 56) have been slow against left-arm spin since IPL 2019. So, watch out for Axar Patel.
Wriddhiman Saha has a strike rate of 134.74 in 14 innings against Delhi Capitals. He has scored 25 off 14 balls against Kuldeep in the IPL (one dismissal).
Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium Delhi Pitch Report and Weather
How the Delhi surface plays early in IPL 2023 will be interesting to see. A fresh, true pitch is expected. Last year, South Africa chased 212 in a T20I against India.
In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in November 2021, the average first innings score was 140.56.
There is a chance of some showers in Delhi on Tuesday, but the match should hopefully be unaffected.
IPL 2023 Match 7: DC vs GT Dream11 Prediction Today Match 4 April 2023
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:
Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
Wicket-keepers: Wriddhiman Saha
Batters: Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, David Warner
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel
Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Anrich Nortje
IPL 2023 Match 7: DC vs GT Match Prediction – Who will win?
Tough match to predict. This one can be close. The chasing team is likely to have the advantage.
On The CricBlog Podcast, we shared our predictions for the IPL season. Watch here or below!
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
Cricket News: RCB vs MI Twitter reactions: Faf, Virat, Siraj star & MI lose first match yet again | Virat Kohli smashes 82 off 49 balls
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have emphasised their IPL 2023 credentials with a thumping victory by eight wickets and 22 balls to spare against Mumbai Indians (MI).
What made the victory all the more impressive for RCB was the quality they had missing. Rajat Patidar, Josh Hazlewood and Wanindu Hasaranga were all unavailable for different reasons, with Reece Topley also picking up a nasty shoulder injury in the field. However, led by superb powerplay bowling by Mohammed Siraj in particular and a wonderful opening stand between Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli, an RCB victory was never really in doubt despite Tilak Varma’s classy 84* off 46 balls.
IPL 2023 5th Match: RCB vs MI Twitter reactions – the key events
As often the case in an IPL game, there were various talking points. Here are some of the reactions from a game between teams containing two of the biggest fanbases in the league.
Mohammed Siraj with powerplay brilliance
MI openers Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma had little idea how to counter Mohammed Siraj. The pacer was back to his brilliant best in the powerplay, hurrying the batsmen and tucking them up with excellent line and length with a hint of movement.
He finished with figures of 1/21, but should have had Rohit Sharma after a dropped catch due to a nasty collision with keeper Dinesh Karthik. Thankfully, both were fine.
It’s funny. Last year RCB had very balanced XI, covered nearly every base, most players came into IPL in form. This year injury worries, questions on a few guys form and yet this is a more comprehensive win than any of their wins last season. Difference is Siraj & Kohli TURNED UP
Chasing 172, Kohli (82* off 49 balls) and du Plessis (73 off 43 balls) made a wonderful start to their 2023 campaign. They plundered 148 in 14.4 overs, after a strong powerplay (53/0) and first ten overs (97/0).
At the same respective period, MI had crawled to 29/3 in the powerplay and 55/4 at the halfway mark.
April 2nd, Ravi Shastri in the commentary box and a 6️⃣ to finish off a brilliant run chase.
Do you see him now, the Virat Kohli we know? With vintage strokeplay and a elegant flow, The run machine in action, a sight to behold, The chase master on a mission, fearless and bold.
It's astonishing how much Faf has improved his overall game (specially against spin), in the last year and a half when he's 37 years of age.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) April 2, 2023
Faf's fitness is something to admire. Something to learn. May be some superstars could've learnt a bit and applied on themselves which could've possibly helped their cause. But…
Even god doesn't help those who don't help themselves!
Missed watching 82* of Mohali and MCG, but I was lucky enough to see the 82* of Chinnaswamy. Thank you, Virat my Sunday couldn't have been better. ❤️#RCBvMI#IPL2023pic.twitter.com/JNKwzLEvU4
MI were in all sorts of trouble at the batting-friendly Chinnaswamy. Tilak Varma, who had an excellent 2022 campaign, shone brightly again for MI with 84* off 46 balls courtesy of nine fours and four sixes. Thanks mainly to Tilak, MI struck 116 runs in the final ten overs, giving them something to bowl at.
Outstanding inns this from Tilak Verma. Continuing from he left off in the last season, doing a carry job once again. Best part is, he does it at a healthy rate while being calculative about his strengths.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) April 2, 2023
While the world is obsessed with Rutu v Gill v Shaw fights, a middle order batter is carrying a shambolic batting line-up on his own. Such outrageous stroke-making from Tilak. What a star.
Another first up loss for MI, with worries growing about their bowling attack
MI’s bowling attack looked thin on paper heading into IPL 2023. It proved to be the case in their opening match, with the bowling group barely firing a shot.
Yes, MI rarely win their first game and that hasn’t stopped them from winning titles before. However, whether they can trouble batting lineups regularly in IPL 2023 remains to be seen.
I really have never understood the hype over Cameron Green. Played 21 T20 games in his career with batting figures of 16.33 and 137.64. But he bowls as well I hear you say? Avg of 39, Strike rate of 26.4 and economy of 9.04. If he is worth 17.50 Crore then I’m worth 5! #RCBvMI
CSK vs LSG Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 6 | CSK vs LKN Dream11 Prediction Today | Chepauk Pitch Report
Could you imagine the noise if MS Dhoni hits another six? Or if the spinners pick up wickets thanks to a strangle of their opposition? Some things just feel like home, and Chennai Super Kings(CSK) are back at Chepauk with their beloved yellow army behind them.
Questions around CSK’s credentials away from home grew louder after defeat at Ahmedabad in IPL 2023’s opening night. Their death bowling looks a problem, so how many games they can win at Chepauk is crucial to their playoffs’ hopes. So, even though it’s still very early in the season, this game has a sense of importance about it for the hosts.
It won’t be easy against the impressive Lucknow Super Giants. After a slow start against DC on a patchy and tricky pitch, LSG then produced a near perfect display, led by overseas stars Kyle Mayers and Mark Wood. The performance highlighted their excellent depth, with that to be put to the test in conditions expected to aid spinners. A win here will set them up nicely indeed.
On The CricBlog Podcast, we shared our predictions for the IPL season. Watch here or below!
Match Details
Location: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai.
Time: 7:30pm (IST).
For more cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.
IPL 2023 Match 6: CSK vs LSG Possible Playing XIs
Expect CSK to employ another spinner in their lineup. Maheesh Theekshana is currently in New Zealand, so Chennai may opt to play legspinner Prashant Solanki.
If CSK bat first, they may pick Dube again ahead of a bowling option before implementing the Impact Player. If they bowl, Tushander Deshpande may get another run first up before substituting a specialist batsman, i.e. Ambati Rayudu.
Chennai Super Kings: 1. Devon Conway (OS), 2. Ruturaj Gaikwad, 3. Ben Stokes (OS), 4. Moeen Ali (OS), 5. Ambati Rayudu, 6. Ravindra Jadeja, 7. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 8. Mitchell Santner (OS), 9. Deepak Chahar, 10. Rajvardhan Hangargekar, 11. Prashant Solanki
LSG were impressive in their opening game against DC, but they may wish to bring in another spinner, perhaps in place of Unadkat. Amit Mishra is in the squad.
In terms of the batting order, they may bring Nicholas Pooran, who played well, up to number four. If they bat first, expect them to start and substitute Ayush Badoni once again. If they bat second, they may bring in either Gotham or a specialist bowler before subbing in the likes of Badoni if needed.
Lucknow Super Giants: 1. KL Rahul (c), 2. Kyle Mayers (OS), 3. Deepak Hooda, 4. Nicholas Pooran (OS & wk), 5. Marcus Stoinis (OS), 6. Krunal Pandya, 7. Ayush Badoni, 8. Avesh Khan, 9. Ravi Bishnoi, 10. Jaydev Unadkat/Amit Mishra, 11. Mark Wood (OS)
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Chennai Super Kings:
What a performance it was by Ruturaj Gaikwad against a strong Gujarat attack. The opener is coming off one of the classiest 92 off 50 you’ll ever see.
Moeen Ali will be vital on the Chepauk surfaces against LSG’s selection of left-handers (Mayers, Pooran, Pandya). Also, in all T20s in 2022, Moeen struck 1,263 runs at a strike rate of 149.29.
Moeen is one of CSK’s crucial spin-hitters. Since the start of 2021, Moeen has a strike rate of 195.2 against left-arm orthodox in franchise T20 cricket.
Since the start of 2020, Ravindra Jadeja has scored 576 runs at an average of 38.4 and strike rate of 147.3 in the IPL. He averages just 17.38 in 24 innings at Chepauk, but he is capable of improving on that.
With the ball at Chepauk, Jadeja has picked up 19 wickets at a strike rate of 25.26.
Rajvardhan Hangargekar had an impressive outing in Ahmedabad (3/36). He may an important option for CSK at the death, which increases his wicket-taking potential.
Deepak Chahar has picked up ten wickets in nine matches at Chepauk at an average of 25.20 and strike rate of 18.90.
Lucknow Super Giants
KL Rahul has scored two fifties in five innings at Chennai. Overall against CSK, Rahul has scored 435 runs at an average of 43.50 and strike rate of 142.62.
Also, Rahul has a superb record against Deepak Chahar. In 75 balls in the IPL, he has scored 120 runs without dismissal.
Kyle Mayers is coming off an excellent 73 off 38 balls. He was dropped by Khaleel Ahmed on 14 (15), before smashing 58 off his next 22 deliveries.
Deepak Hooda when batting at number three in all T20s: 31 inns, 978 runs, avg. 33.72, SR 147.29.
Nicholas Pooran, who hit a superb 36 off 21 in the opening match, is in fine touch. In 13 franchise T20 matches this year, Pooran has scored 426 runs at an average of 42.6 and strike rate of 145.9.
Ravi Bishnoi can be a handful on the Chepauk track. LSG may look to use him against Moeen Ali. Since the start of 2021, Moeen has been dismissed 12 times by right-arm legspin in franchise T20s, averaging just 17.2 with a strike rate of 135.3.
Five-star Mark Wood has taken 24 wickets in his last nine T20s. How he fares on the Chepauk pitch will be fascinating to see, especially if he can apply effective changes of pace.
Other Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 1, LSG 1, CSK 0.
Devon Conway vs spin in the IPL: 23 balls, 53 runs, one dismissal, SR 230.43.
Shivam Dube smashed 49 off 30 balls against LSG last season.
LSG may try Krunal Pandya to Moeen Ali. Since the start of 2021, Moeen has been dismissed seven times in 84 balls against left-arm orthodox despite his strong strike rate of 195.2.
MS Dhoni at Chepauk: 53 inns, 1,431 runs, avg. 42.09, SR 138.80. Also, against Jaydev Unadkat in the IPL, he has smashed 105 runs off 43 balls.
Ambati Rayudu has a strike rate of just 98.63 in 18 matches at Chepauk.
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai Pitch Report and Weather
Expect the Chepauk surface to suit the spinners and seamers who can change their pace. This ground hosted ten IPL matches in 2021, where the average first innings score was 154.8. The team batting first and second won five games each. A score in that region today can be a competitive one.
Spinners took 11 of the 18 wickets that fell in the recent IND-AUS 3rd ODI. A warm and clear evening is forecast in Chennai, so dew is likely.
IPL 2023 Match 6: CSK vs LSG Dream11 Prediction Today Match 3 April 2023
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:
Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
Wicket-keepers: KL Rahul
Batters: Deepak Hooda, Ruturaj Gaikwad
All-rounders: Moeen Ali
Bowlers: Mark Wood
IPL 2023 Match 6: LSG vs CSK Match Prediction – Who will win?
CSK at home are always a tough nut to crack. Their team will have a number of spin options. A score of 160 batting first by either team can be a winning one.
On The CricBlog Podcast, we shared our predictions for the IPL season. Watch here or below!
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
Cricket News: IPL 2023: 5 Uncapped Players To Watch Out For | Uncapped players who can make a mark in IPL 2023
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has for long been the breeding ground for youngsters to display their talent against the best in the business at a very reputed stage. Uncapped players have often grabbed such opportunities with both hands and even earned an India call-up soon afterwards.
On that note, CricBlog takes a look at five uncapped cricketers who most observers will have their eyes set on in the coming campaign.
Mukesh Kumar
The 29-year-old Bengal pacer was picked for Rs 5.5 crore by the Delhi Capitals and the right-arm pacer will be expected to play a pivotal role in their bowling attack this season. Kumar has had a stellar run in domestic cricket so far, scaling 139 dismissals in 39 first-class games. He has notched 25 wickets in 23 T20s with an impressive economy rate of 7.2.
The IPL will definitely be a significant step up in his career and the Bihar-born bowler will be edging to make an impact and further boost his aspirations of representing the national team in the near future. Whether or not the Capitals look to use his fast bowling skills to trample the opposition in the death overs remains to be seen.
Narayanan Jagadeesan
The former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) wicketkeeper-batsman has been in promising form for Tamil Nadu in the domestic circuit in recent times. He struck five consecutive List A centuries late last year, which included a 277 in 147 deliveries against Arunachal Pradesh at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
He found playing time difficult to come by in CSK and will be representing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who onboarded him for Rs 90 lakh in the auction. KKR were unable in zeroing upon a wicketkeeper last season and their batting will lose bite in the absence of Shreyas Iyer. On that note, Jagadeesan could find chances to showcase his skills with both the keeping as well as the batting gloves and it is imperative that he pounces upon those opportunities as soon as possible.
Shams Mulani
Mumbai Indians have always been proactive in roping in promising youngsters in their setup. This time around, they picked up all-rounder Shams Mulani for Rs 20 lakh in the auction. Mulani has been one of the most consistent figures in an otherwise underperforming Mumbai setup in the Ranji Trophy.
His relentless accuracy with his slow left-arm orthodox bowling makes him a challenging customer to come across on slow and sluggish pitches. Moreover, he has shown tremendous mettle with the bat down the order – thus reiterating his holistic skills. The Rohit Sharma-led side lacks quality spinners and Mulani can explore this opportunity to become the team’s frontline tweaker this season.
Rajvardhan Hangargekar
Many expected Rajvardhan Hangargekar, India’s star all-rounder from their U19 World Cup winning campaign in 2022, to play frequently for CSK last season. However, the management instead decided to settle him into the system. At just 20 years of age, Hangargekar’s grooming and development process is bound to continue this year as well.
However, there are chances that the team might want to put to use his big-hitting skills lower down the order. Hangargekar also has a tendency to hit the deck hard at a considerable pace – making him a fine candidate for a spot at the number seven or eight spots. CSK is stacked with all-rounders currently but one cannot rule out the possibility of the young lad getting his fair share of opportunities in this campaign.
Vivrant Sharma
The Sunrisers Hyderbad spent a massive sum of Rs 2.4 crore on Jammu & Kashmir left-hander Vivrant Sharma in the auction. The 23-year-old averages 39.92 with a strike rate of 87.22 in List A matches and his overall T20 record isn’t that impressive.
However, Hyderabad has demsnotrated a knoack of picking up promising youngsters and even moulding them well enough to extract desirable outcomes in the longer term. The amount that they shelled out for Sharma clearly shows that they rate him highly enough and it will be upon the batsman to prove his credentials if and when he does get some opportunity in the playing XI down the line.
RCB vs MI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 5 | RCB vs MI Dream11 Prediction Today | Bangalore Pitch Report
Royal Challengers Bangalore have been consistent in the last few seasons of the Indian Premier League. They have had a balanced squad despite some of the injury concerns and they’ll be looking forward to a good season with the aim of finally lifting their maiden IPL title.
The likes of Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Mahipal Lomror, Suyah Prabhudesai, Harshal Patel, Mohammad Siraj and Dinesh Karthik form the core of RCB. Glenn Maxwell is expected to miss a few games but they have an excellent replacement in Michael Bracewell. Josh Hazlewood will also miss a few games and they’ve got Reece Topley to replace him. So, they will be confident heading into their return to their beloved Chinnaswamy.
Mumbai Indians had a horrible season in 2022 where they finished at the bottom of the points table. This season, the likes of Tim David, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma form a strong batting unit alongside Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan. They’ve added the likes of Jofra Archer and Cameron Green but they are looking a bit light on the bowling front, so how they fare without Jasprit Bumrah will be crucial.
Also, there is the question of MI’s awful record in opening games of the season. Will this be the year they break the first game drought?
On The CricBlog Podcast, we shared our predictions for the IPL season. Watch here or below!
Match Details
Location: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore.
Time: 7:30 pm (IST).
For more cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.
IPL 2023 Match 5: RCB vs MI Possible Playing XIs
Glenn Maxwell is in doubt to feature in this match. Josh Hazlewood is also out. Wanindu Hasaranga just completed Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand. But, RCB have capable replacements.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 1. Faf du Plessis (c & OS), 2. Virat Kohli, 3. Rajat Patidar, 4. Mahipal Lomror, 5. Michael Bracewell (OS), 6. Dinesh Karthik (wk), 7. Shahbaz Ahmed, 8. David Willey/Himanshu Sharma, 9. Harshal Patel, 10. Reece Topley (OS), 11. Mohammed Siraj
The make up of MI’s bowling attack will be interesting to see. They have the option of Piyush Chawla for experience.
Faf du Plessis has been in exceptional form in the last few months. He has been super aggressive at the top and that’s a great sign for RCB. In IPL 2022, Faf scored 468 runs at an average of 31.2 and at a low strike rate of 127.5. In 2023, he has scored his T20 runs at an average of 37.2 with a strike rate of 143 in 12 innings.
Virat Kohli has been in good touch in recent times. We all know how capable Virat is and what he can do when on song. He scored 341 runs in IPL 2022 but his average and strike rate were 22.7 and 116 respectively which must be improved in this season.
Virat has the most runs of any player on this ground (86 inns, 2,762 runs, avg. 36.83, SR 140.06) and the most runs in RCB-MI matches (31 inns, 827 runs, avg. 29.54, SR 126.26).
Rajat Patidar was RCB’s breakout player in IPL 2022. His 333 runs came at an average of 55.50 and strike rate of 152.75.
Michael Bracewell could play this game in Maxwell’s absence. He has been very impressive for the Black Caps and will look to continue that in the IPL as well. Bracewell will bowl 3-4 overs and he’s very aggressive with the bat. He scored a century in RCB’s practice game.
Mohammad Siraj has been exceptional for India in the 50-over format this year. He has 19 wickets to his name in eight innings at an economy of 4.62 and his strike rate is 17.2 and at an average of 13.2. Siraj will be the lead pacer for RCB and they will be expecting him to continue his ODI form in the IPL.
Mumbai Indians:
It’s high time that Rohit Sharma starts performing consistently in the IPL. He has been pretty average with the bat in the last few seasons according to his standards. He scored 268 runs at an average of 19.1 and his strike rate was 120.2 in 2022.
Rohit averages just 18.79 in 14 T20 innings at the Chinnaswamy. Can he turn this around?
Suryakumar Yadav is currently the best T20 batter in world cricket. He bats aggressively and can hit all-around the park. Surya had 303 runs to his name in just eight innings in IPL 2022 at an average of 43.3 and strike rate of 145.7.
Suryakumar vs RCB: 10 inns, 286 runs, avg. 35.75, SR 152.13.
Tim David is the perfect replacement for Kieron Pollard. He is a six-hitting machine who can take down any bowling attack on his day. David scored 186 runs in just 86 deliveries in IPL 2022 at an average of 37.2 and at a whopping strike rate of 216.3. He hit 16 sixes and 12 fours out of the 86 balls he faced.
Jofra Archer is a big signing for Mumbai for IPL 2023, and is a genuine Purple Cap contender. The English pacer is one of the best in business and he can trouble the batters with his pace and bounce. He played six games in the SA 20 League and picked up 10 wickets at an economy of 7.78. Archer was in good form for the English national team as well.
Archer has dismissed du Plessis twice in 11 balls in franchise T20 cricket.
Other Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 32, RCB 13, MI 19.
MI lead RCB 8-2 in matches at the Chinnaswamy. But, both teams have changed significantly since the last IPL game on this ground, back in 2019.
Faf du Plessis averages just 22.69 in 17 matches against MI. Can he turn this around?
Ishan Kishan has a score of 99 vs RCB but just 109 in his other seven knocks against them.
Suryakumar Yadav vs Mohammed Siraj in the IPL: 20 balls faced, 43 runs scored, one dismissal.
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Banglaore Pitch Report and Weather
The weather is expected to be clear. The pitch at Bangalore is an excellent one for batting; one of the best in the country. The ball comes onto the bat nicely and the dimensions are quite small which ensures high-scoring encounters and a lot of sixes. The average first innings score here is 162 runs and teams will prefer chasing, especially with the Impact Player rule.
IPL 2023 Match 5: RCB vs MI Dream11 Prediction Today Match 2 April 2023
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:
Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
Wicket-keepers: Ishan Kishan
Batters: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav
All-rounders: Cameron Green
Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Mohammed Siraj
IPL 2023 Match 5: RCB vs MI Match Prediction – Who will win?
The Royal Challengers Bangalore, despite a couple of injury concerns, is looking balanced compared to the Mumbai Indians, especially in the bowling department. They are expected to win this game.
On The CricBlog Podcast, we shared our predictions for the IPL season. Watch here or below!
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
Cricket News: 5 Best IPL Opening Day Matches | Best matches on the opening day in Indian Premier League history
The 16th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) commenced with the Gujarat Titans defeating the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The game was closely contested and Cricblog takes this opportunity to explore the five most crunch and exciting opening day encounters in the history of the IPL so far.
1: IPL 2008
The very first game of the IPL began with a bang with former Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum smashing 158 runs off 73 deliveries to help Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) get to 222 at the end of 20 overs.
McCullum hit 10 boundaries and 13 sixes in an absolute carnage that tore apart the Rahul Dravid-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) unit and set the stage for the grand carnival that the league unfolded to become over the following decade-and-a-half. Kolkata’s bowling them came together to attack in tandem and bowled out RCB for 82 runs to round off a comprehensive 140-run victory.
2: IPL 2018
The opening match of IPL 2018 marked CSK’s return to the competition after a two-year-long suspension. They squared off against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium and were set a target of 167 by the Rohit Sharma-led team.
Chennai were reduced to 84/6 at the end of 13 overs but star all-rounder Dwayne Bravo pulled off a heist by hitting seven balls over the boundary line to get to 68 in 30 deliveries. Kedar Jadhav came out to bat despite a hamstring injury and scooped Mustafizur Rahman over fine leg to steer CSK to a dramatic victory in their comeback game.
3: IPL 2021
The 14th season of the IPL commenced amidst Covid-related restrictions in Chennai with an encounter between RCB and Mumbai Indians (MI). The match went right down the wire with RCB chasing down 160 in the final ball of the match. Harshal Patel maintained his calm right till the end to score four off three deliveries, in addition to his five wickets in the first innings that earned him the Player of the Match award for the game. Patel went on to pick 32 wickets and win the Purple Cap that season.
4: IPL 2023
Friday’s faceoff between CSK and Gujarat Titans (GT) was a tight contest as the defending champions defeated the four-time IPL winners in the final over of the game with Rashid Khan scoring 10 off 3 deliveries to seal the encounter in their favour.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 92-run knock went in vain as Chennai couldn’t contain a hugely impressive Titans batting line-up from cruising to the total despite the best attempts of former India U-19 star Rajvardhan Hangargekar, who scalped three wickets in his four-over spell.
5: IPL 2011
The fourth season of the IPL commenced with CSK recording a narrow two-run victory against KKR at Chepauk. Chennai put up 153 on the board courtesy a splendid 64-run knock by Srikanth Aniruddh but Kolkata ran them close through a 54 by Jacques Kallis and a nice 27-run cameo by Manoj Tiwari. Eventually, Chennai’s bowling attack held their nerves towards the final stages of the game as all the bowlers barring Albie Morkel took a wicket each as CSK began their title-winning campaign on a positive note.
