Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings IPL Tips: Chennai pair to shine

Click here Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings odds
Monday 30 March,15:00
TV: Sky Sports

Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings IPL team news

Rajasthan Royals' hopes of a significant challenge have been hit by the loss of Sam Curran to injury for the season. Dasun Shanaka, pinched from the PSL, is not a like-for-like replacement. Had Curran been available we would have been keen on Royals having a real go.

They could still improve, however, on last season's ninth-placed finish. Despite the loss of Sanju Samson they do appear to have rectified middle-order woes thanks to Shimron Hetmyer dominating at No 3 in T20i. 

Possible XI: Jaiswal, Suryvanshi, Hetmyer, Jurel, Parag, Ferreira, S Dubey (sub A Milne), Jadeja, Bishnoi , Archer, Sandeep 

Chennai Super Kings have built their success on winning at home with a wealth of spin options. These days they cut a confused, imbalanced lot. Spencer Johnson has signed from the PSL but is not fit. MS Dhoni may only play as a late-order sub hitter. 

Samson will open the batting with Ruturaj Gaikwad. If CSK think this pitch takes spin Akeal Hosein is likely to get the nod ahead of Jamie Overton. Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel are young thrusters with the bat and there is pressure on them to perform as they look to be a domestic batter light. 

Possible XI: Samson, Mhatre, Gaikwad, Brevis, Urvil, Dube, Overton/Akeal, Dhoni (sub in and out Shreyas Gopal), Henry, Noor, Khaleel

Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings IPL pitch report

There have been only four night matches played at Barsapara in IPL.  The run rate in those games was 8.5. there was no toss bias. it is key, then, to extend our study period to other T20s to try to get a handle on what the surface might be like. But that only gives us eight games to go on.

There's a spike in run rate to 9.2 and five matches won by the team chasing. The most recent game was India's hammering of new Zealand by eight wickets in January. They chased 156 by the 10th. It does suggest a pretty flat one.

Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings IPL match prediction

Rajasthan are 2.166/5 outsiders with Chennai 1.845/6. We suspect this is going to be a keenly fought contest and at this stage of the season it may be hard to split the pair. If forced, Royals could be considered value.

Royals have an excellent record against Chennai, winning six of the last seven. But that will merely serve as a comfort blanket rather than a significant pointer.

The match could well be won or lost on how Royals approach the eight overs of potential spin of Noor Ahmad and Akeal. Both are wicket-takers but they can be got at. Hetmyer will be tasked to take them down.

Possibly the best angle is Royals to win the sixes battle. They dwarfed Chennai's six hitting last season and although Samson has swapped sides, we would have them clear favs instead of 11/102.11 outsiders. 

Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings IPL player bets

Yas Jaiswal, rather the forgotten man of India's batting, has the top win rate for the Royals on top bat at 27% in the last two editions. Sportsbook offer 11/43.75 but the edge is minimal at such a price. The two players with the standout win rates are in the yellow of Chennai with Gaikwad at 36% for runs and Noor at 42% for wickets. Gaikwad is 11/43.75 which is fine while Noor is the same for most wickets. 

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