State of Play
Chennai Super Kings open the defence of their IPL title against Royal Challengers Bengaluru tomorrow.
It’s the curtain-raiser to what should be another absorbing season of IPL cricket. It’s also started with a bang with the news RCB captain MS Dhoni has stood down and will be replaced by Ruturaj Gaikwad.
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It will place greater focus on 42-year-old Dhoni with speculation increasing that this could be the prelude to a retirement announcement.
Faf du Plessis’ RCB will present Dhoni and Co with a serious challenge first up, particularly with Virat Kohli due to play after missing the recent Test series win over England.
Kohli will be eager to perform in this year’s IPL with his place at the 2024 T20 World Cup still uncertain.
CSK will prepare, as they traditionally do, a spin-friendly track and hope the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Maheesh Theekshana can make inroads.
Devon Conway is injured for the home side and will be replaced by another New Zealand international in Rachin Ravindra.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT: MS Dhoni hands over captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. #WhistlePodu #Yellove
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 21, 2024
Expected line-ups
CSK: Gaikwad (c), Ravindra, Rahane, Mitchell, Dube, Jadeja, Dhoni (wk), Chahar, Theekshana, Pathirana, Thakur
RCB: Du Plessis (c), Kohli, Green, Patidar, Maxwell, Prabhudessai, Lomror, Karthik (wk), Dagar, Joseph, Siraj
How to watch
Sky have the rights to show the IPL in 2024 and will broadcast every game live. Tomorrow’s match can be viewed on Sky Sports Main Event at 1420 and Sky Sports Cricket at 1430.
Prediction
RCB’s batting line-up looks potent and if the likes of Du Plessis, Kohli, Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell can fire, it could be a disappointing start for the defending champions.
We’re tipping RCB to cause an opening-night surprise.
