Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will clash in the first match of the double-header on April 25, 2021. This match will be played in Mumbai and will start at 3.30 PM IST.
This will be a clash of the top two spot holders with RCB holding the no.1 spot with four wins in four matches, while CSK being at no.2 spot with 3 wins in 4 matches. Both the teams have found that golden spot with their playing XIs and might not look back after the starts they have gotten.
Keeping this in mind, Team COC presents to you the Predicted Playing XIs for the CSK v RCB match in Mumbai.
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS (CSK)
The Chennai Super Kings are back to being the best in the IPL 2021, after a poor season in IPL 2020. They had faced quite a lot of problems last season and this time, however, they have a settled squad and are back to backing players that should be given confidence.
Ruturaj Gaikwad got that backing despite three poor outings and he responded with a half-century against KKR. Faf du Plessis is their pillar of batting and scored a brilliant 95* as well, batting through the innings.
IPL 2021: WATCH - "Innovative Faf du Plessis makes my job easier," Ruturaj Gaikwad tells Lungi Ngidi
Suresh Raina, Moeen Ali, and Ambati Rayudu have been tasked to score runs in the middle overs and they are doing their job to perfection. And with Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja in good form with both bat and ball. Even MS Dhoni got some runs under his belt against KKR.
However, one place where Dhoni is still the best is captaincy, and his leadership amidst the carnage from Andre Russell and Pat Cummins was laudable.
Like Ruturaj in the batting department, they are also backing the expensive Shardul Thakur in the bowling department as well, with Deepak Chahar picking wickets in the powerplay becoming a boon for them.
The inclusion of Lungi Ngidi just brings that extra pace that was missing from their arsenal for the last few matches.
They do have a tough task of facing RCB who are on top of their game and are still unbeaten in IPL 2021.
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE (RCB)
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are having a dream run in the IPL 2021 winning their first four matches for the first time in their IPL history. After years of tinkering with their playing XIs and combinations, RCB has finally found the perfect players for their team.
Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli have given RCB a gun-opening partnership with Kohli having the ability to bat through the innings and accelerate later. Padikkal is in top form scoring his maiden IPL hundred against Rajasthan.
Glenn Maxwell seems to be a totally different player in the RCB team and is at peace with the freedom he has been given with Kohli and AB de Villiers taking on the mantle of giving him a cushion.
Then they have the army of all-rounders in Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Kyle Jamieson who are in top form with both the bat and the ball. Sundar has been exceptional in the powerplays with the ball, while Ahmed and Jamieson have given good support to other bowlers.
Harshal Patel and Mohammed Siraj are ruling the wickets column for RCB and Harshal even holds the purple cap for most wickets. Yuzvendra Chahal is slightly out of form, while the addition of Kane Richardson has just strengthened their death bowling.
This CSK v RCB rivalry is one of the best in the history of IPL and it will be interesting to see the two teams facing each other in a day match.
CSK COC Predicted Playing XI:
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C&WK), Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Lungi Ngidi
RCB COC Predicted Playing XI:
Virat Kohli (C), Devdutt Padikkal, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers (WK), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Kane Richardson, Yuzvendra Chahal
