Indian Premier League - IPL / Rowan Williams / 11 April 2012 /

Chennai have been a disappointment so far and they come up against a Royal Challengers Bangalore side with the potential to blow anyone away. It's worth siding with Suresh Raina to come good but with the outsiders to win the match, says Rowan Williams.

Start Time: 11:30 BST

TV Channel: ITV4

Live Updates:

Both teams come into this match on the back of resounding losses, but Rowan Doors Williams asks: Can Chris Gayle and company travel to Chennai and smoke the Super Kings?

Venue and Conditions

The MA Chidambaram stadium plays host for the thirteenth game of this year's tournament on what should be a hot dry early evening on the east coast of India. Last time the pitch had a nice layer of grass and was firm and bouncy (just ask Sachin's finger) so Chennai will be looking to put their two fast bowlers, Doug Bollinger and Albi Morkel, to good use.

Chennai Super Kings

The Chennai Super Kings ran themselves out of any chance of winning last time out, but they are favourites to get back to winning ways and make it three wins from four games against the Bangalore Royal Challengers. They will most likely be fielding an unchanged eleven for the third match in a row as they await the arrival of their Australian big guns from the Caribbean. Until then a lot will be resting on the performances of the lower middle order combination of MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

The Royal Challengers have a real embarrassment of overseas batting riches, with their squad now at full strength. The return of Chris Gayle from a groin injury, and the maximum of four overseas players in one team, meant that there has been no room for Tillekeratne Dilshan. I expect him, however, to make his first 2012 appearance this time after returning from international duty, probably at the expense of fellow Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan.

Match Odds

As previously stated, CSK are favourites, and you can back them at [1.83]. But with the Royal Challengers' strength in depth, the value is certainly in backing the away team at odds-against. They have a perfectly balanced side that includes two of the most devastating hitters in world cricket up front, Dilshan and Gayle, followed by the talent of AB de Villiers and the supremely-gifted Virat Kohli. All four of which are all-rounders in their own right.

Chennai top Batsman

Suresh Raina averaged 31.29 last year in the IPL, and he looks in a good bit of form this year. What is even more impressive is his new found ability to deal with the fast short-pitched delivery in a brave and attacking manner. He now has all the shots and the Chennai top order revolves around the left-hander. If he comes in with some fielding restrictions still in place, then he definitely is worth a punt.

Bangalore top Batsman

With all the overseas talent on show for the Super Kings, it might surprise you to hear that its actually the home grown talent of Virat Kohli that should be getting backed to score the most runs for CSK. Kohli, now India's vice-captain, is being groomed by the Indian selectors as the guy who will lead India's next generation after the old guard retire. He will come in at three, and if Gayle and Dilshan deflect a lot of attention in the market as expected, then you could be looking at a healthy price of around [4.5].

Recommended bet.

Suresh Raina to top score for Chennai Super Kings.

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