RR vs CSK 2019 preview: Strong CSK a tough challenge for misfiring Rajasthan

After two weeks in IPL 2019, RR and CSK find themselves at two ends of the spectrum. Rajasthan’s weaknesses have turned into gaping holes such as over-reliance on two batsmen and lack of quality pace attack while CSK has eliminated their weaknesses to emerge as the dominant force in IPL season 12.

On April 11, Ajinkya Rahane’s men face a stiff task of outplaying the best team of Indian Premier League this season, and given their form, Rajasthan will have to really up the ante.

Venue:

The Sawai Mansingh stadium has given some assistance to the bowlers but it has also kept the batsmen in the game. The vital question will be how much spin will this wicket offer on Thursday.

A Royal welcome to Rajasthan! #WhistlePodu #Yellove #RRvCSK ?? pic.twitter.com/qmyCwqnxP9

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 10, 2019

Form guide:

CSK have gone strength to strength in IPL 2019. Faf du Plessis has replaced the out of form Rayudu at the top of the order and Scott Kuggeleijn has fared decently so far.

The form of Suresh Raina will trouble CSK a bit but they have covered their other bases.

Rajasthan are desperately searching for a punch in their middle order. Buttler is doing well but he hasn’t found much support.

The pace department needs to deliver more as well.

1⃣ day until we host @ChennaiIPL at the SMS ?

Another training session ✅ #HallaBol pic.twitter.com/yMBsTCmFYI

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 10, 2019

Key Numbers: 

• In  head to head battles, CSK has won 13 games while Rajasthan has won eight matches.

• But at home, Rajasthan’s record against CSK is good. In seven games against CSK at this venue, they have won four.

Also read: RR vs CSK IPL 2019: Match prediction

Players in focus:

The absence of star bowlers like Dwayne Bravo, Lungi Ngidi and David Willey hasn’t hurt CSK thanks to the emergence of Deepak Chahar. The pacer has taken 17 wickets in Powerplays since IPL 2018, the most by any bowler and has an astonishing economy rate of 6.71.

Chahar will play a key role as he will be matched up against Jos Buttler, Rajastan’s trump card this season.

Don’t forget to check the RR vs CSK IPL 2019 top three fantasy picks 

After score a fine knock of 70 runs against SRH, Ajnkya Rahane has managed just 27 runs in three innings in IPL 2019. But he can be a key contributor against CSK as he has 312 runs against them, the most by any RR batsman.