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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is definitely feeling the weight of going up against Virat Kohli in the IPL. He pointed out that whenever Kohli is on the field, any match instantly transforms into a significant showdown.
Chatting on JioStar's 'Star Nahi Far' initiative, Gaikwad made it clear he's pumped up for the next CSK versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru game, especially with Rajat Patidar at the helm for RCB.
"Really looking forward to playing against RCB, especially with Rajat (Patidar) as the new captain. Immediately when they announced Rajat as the captain, I messaged him and wished him good luck. We have been friends for a while now, we know each other really well, and obviously, RCB has been one of the strongest teams," Ruturaj said.
Ruturaj Gaikwad talks about Virat Kohli's effect
Ruturaj Gaikwad is aware of Virat Kohli's effect as the blockbuster clash between CSK and RCB draws closer. The blockbuster encounter between CSK and RCB will take place on March 28 at the Chepauk stadium.
"They have done really well every year now. And whenever Virat Kohli is in the opposition, whenever he is playing, it is always a clash to look forward to. He's been doing it for a really long time now, consistently for RCB and for the country as well. So, it is always a great match, and after Mumbai Indians, this is the second match we always look forward to," Gaikwad added.
The upcoming clash between RCB and CSK at Chepauk isn't just another game; it's steeped in history and current form. The Bengaluru team has a pretty tough record at this venue, only managing to snatch one victory way back in 2008 in all their IPL encounters there. Given that the pitch conditions at Chepauk tend to heavily favor spin bowling, CSK will undoubtedly be aiming to capitalize on any weaknesses RCB might have against the turning ball.
CSK's spin attack looks particularly strong this time around, with the experienced Ravichandran Ashwin teaming up once again with the ever-reliable Ravindra Jadeja and the talented Noor Ahmad. Their recent performance against the Mumbai Indians really showcased their dominance, where they impressively restricted a strong batting lineup to just 70 runs for five wickets in 11 overs.
For RCB to have a fighting chance, Virat Kohli's performance against spin will be a crucial aspect to watch. He's shown significant progress in his game against spin lately, incorporating shots like sweeps and slog sweeps. However, CSK's spin department will provide a stern test. Beyond Kohli, RCB will desperately need contributions from other key batsmen like Phil Salt, Krunal Pandya, and Tim David to put up a competitive total.
CSK vs RCB's Head-to-Head record in IPL
As far as their head-to-head record in IPL is concerned, RCB and CSK have clashed each other 33 times. While RCB have won in 11 matches, CSK have emerged victorious in 21 encounters. Notably, one match ended without a result.
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