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The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) could not have asked for a better beginning. A new chapter in a fierce rivalry between the two cross-city rivals will kick-start the 2024 cash-rich tournament, and one couldn't have dreamt of a better inception. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), two of the biggest franchises in the world and with two of the biggest sporting superstars - MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli - in the world, will set the ball rolling as all eyes will be glued to the televisions to watch what promises to be a grand start to the best franchise-based T20 league in the world.
Vast difference between CSK and RCB
On one hand, there is the Chennai Super Kings, a franchise that is five-time champions of the IPL. Not to forget, the Yellow Army is the defending champions as well. The Super Kings are gunning for a record sixth IPL crown, which by the way, is in stark contrast to what the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are gunning for.
RCB has never won the IPL in 16 years. But with the franchise winning the Women's Premier League (WPL) this year, there is a palpable amount of belief among the supporters that 'ee sala cup namde' will come to fruition finally.
A new era for the Super Kings
With MS Dhoni stepping down from captaincy on the eve of IPL 2024 and passing the baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Super Kings franchise is ushering into a new era.
Talking about the CSK's squad, injuries to Devon Conway and Matheesha Pathiran have dealt a massive jolt to the franchise to begin the new season. The franchise will now count on new recruits to fill the shoes of established players. Rachin Ravindra is expected to replace Conway, while Mustafizur will take Pathirana's place.
In batting, they can also look to bank on the experience of Ajinkya Rahane and the youthful exuberance of opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is entering the IPL after top-scoring for Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
But their true strength lies in a clutch of all-rounders and spinners who can use the abrasive Chidambaram Stadium pitch to the hilt.
The likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, Moeen Ali, Ravindra, Maheesh Theekshana can make even the best dance to their tunes here. The CSK also have two wily domestic campaigners in pacers Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur.
A daunting task awaits RCB at Chepauk
Before getting into how the RCB squad looks ahead of a new season, it's imperative to glance an eye on the franchise's abysmal record at Chepauk. The Bengaluru-based franchise has not won a single match at the venue since their first victory in 2008. CSK holds a 7-1 edge over the RCB at Chepauk. Thus, RCB has a daunting task of not just triumphing over a bruised CSK team but putting the records straight.
Skipper Faf du Plessis and star batter Virat Kohli, who is returning to competitive cricket after a two-month break, will once again have to shoulder the batting responsibility.
They are set to open together, but this time the addition of Cameron Green might act as a protection plan if one of them or both of them fail to get going. Green can also chip in as a bowler.
Then there is always Glenn Maxwell, whose high-return outings in last year’s World Cup might not have been forgotten.
They have a mix of extreme pace and skills in the fast bowling unit through Mohammed Siraj, Lockie Ferguson, Alzarri Joseph, Akash Deep and Reece Topley, but none of them are particularly good in death over situations.
Even more worryingly, the RCB spin attack wears a thin look in the absence of leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who was released ahead of the auction.
They will have to hope for Maxwell to deliver the goods with his off-spin but others like Karn Sharma, Himanshu Sharma and Mayank Dagar are either short of match practice or untested.
Squads
Chennai Super Kings Squad: Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Sameer Rizvi, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w), Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana, Moeen Ali, Devon Conway, Mustafizur Rahman, Mitchell Santner, Tushar Deshpande, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Prashant Solanki, Mukesh Choudhary, Simarjeet Singh, RS Hangargekar, Shaik Rasheed, Nishant Sindhu, Aravelly Avanish
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik(w), Alzarri Joseph, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Reece Topley, Tom Curran, Swapnil Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Lockie Ferguson, Mayank Dagar, Will Jacks, Suyash Prabhudessai, Anuj Rawat, Manoj Bhandage, Yash Dayal, Saurav Chauhan, Rajan Kumar, Himanshu Sharma
(With PTI inputs)
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