Chennai: They call it their fortress for a good reason. Of the 61 matches that Chennai Super Kings have played at the venue, they have managed to win 42 and lose just 19. It’s this win percentage of around 70 that Rajasthan Royals will look to upstage as they chase their first win at the MA Chidambaram stadium since 2008 when the two teams face off in the Indian Premier League 2023 on Wednesday.
Undoubtedly, this is probably the most significant test that Men in Pink will face in IPL 2023 so far. After a disappointing loss in the season opener, the MS Dhoni-led CSK bounced back in a familiar fashion and looked set to challenge for the big prize yet again.
But not far are the Royals who are in prime form this IPL. With a close loss to Punjab Kings sandwiched between two stellar shows against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan know they’ll have to build on their performance if they are to go a step further than last season.
It’s no surprise that the Chepauk stadium has been rolling out a spin-friendly wicket over the years. With the humidity playing its part - given the ground’s proximity to the nearby Marina Beach - the players are usually tested to their fullest.
The spinners have reaped the dividends from the pitch, while the quicks have also had their say. In the last 10 matches at the venue, the pace bowlers have accounted for 65 dismissals at an economy of 8.40 while the spinners have taken 56 wickets at an economy of 7.00. Even in the match between Chennai and Lucknow Super Giants, while Moeen Ali and Ravi Bishnoi ruled the roost, Mark Wood - with his consistent line and length - troubled the batsmen and pocketed three wickets.
The Royals have enough in their armoury to challenge the Super Kings. But the team knows that if the masterminds are to get to business as usual, it will be necessary to keep the vociferous Chennai crowd at bay who never disappoint in creating an intimidating environment for the visitors.
He’s been our go-to man with the ball, and Trent Boult hasn’t disappointed. Be it the two wickets in the opening over against Sunrisers Hyderabad that set the tone for a fine start to the campaign, or the two against Delhi Capitals, the Kiwi pacer has a knack for producing memorable moments in pink.
But on Wednesday, the Royals pacer will be in for a stern test with a certain MS Dhoni standing in his way. Thala Dhoni, as he’s fondly called by the Chennai faithful, is one of the few batsmen in the world to have a good record against Boult. In the nine innings, the two have faced off, Dhoni has scored 82 against Boult at a strike rate of 186 while giving away his wicket to the Kiwi on two occasions.
The two stalwarts of their respective teams have begun their IPL 2023 on a fine note. But one will have to wait and watch to see who comes on top when these two take on each other at the Chepauk.
There’s barely any player who has been as consistent as Jos Buttler for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. The Englishman led his team’s fight last season and took them to the cusp of glory last year. And this time he’s looked in no mood to relent and made his intentions clear with two fifties in three games so far.
He’s just 17 runs short of joining the 3000-run club in the IPL. But what’s staggering is the rate at which Buttler has gone about accumulating his runs. He has been aggressive against both pace and spin. And the average of 40+ and strike rate of 140+ is a testament to the power-hitting one can see when Buttler is at the crease.
After a commendable show in his first match of the season, it will be interesting to see if the team management persists with Sandeep Sharma sharing the new ball with Trent Boult or if KM Asif gets called back. Also worth making a note of will be the use of ‘Impact Player’. With the pitch expected to aid the spinners, it remains to be seen if Kumar Sangakkara trusts his spin duo of R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, or throws local boy, Murugan Ashwin, into the mix as well. (UNI)
