RCB vs CSK IPL 2019 preview: Can Kohli’s men stun another show against CSK?

Two rare things happened in the previous game for CSK and RCB. CSK lost a match for a change in Indian Premier League 2019 while RCB won a game for a change.

But as both teams meet each other on Saturday, CSK are the favourites considering their strong show in IPL season 12 but RCB have shown a glimpse of what they are capable of in the last game.

Not to forget, RCB are still in the race for play-offs so expect both teams to go all guns blazing at Bangalore.

Venue:

Expect runs as this is what the traditional surface at Bangalore was suppose to do. Currently there is something for the spinners to get excited about and this could mean advantage Chennai.

Making memories on air! Hyderabad to Bengaluru – The journey that was! #WhistlePodu #Yellove?? pic.twitter.com/RrtzW9fj8g

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 19, 2019

Form guide:

CSK doesn’t like to tinker with the playing XI and hence Watson, Raina form the top-order despite middling returns. The star of the show has been Dhoni but remove him and then there is very little power in the middle order.

The bowling though is strong. Tahir and Chahar are the torchbearers and others are supporting them well.

Moeen Ali is doing well for RCB and now with Kohli scoring big runs, the batting looks dangerous with Stoinis as the finisher. Steyn has given their rather abysmal bowling attack an edge and Saini has responded well so far to the challenges.

Key Numbers:

• CSK has dominated the head to head battles against RCB. Chennai has won 16 matches out of the 24 played between the two teams.

• Importantly, RCB hasn’t won a game against CSK since 2014. RCB has lost seven matches on a trot against CSK.

Players in focus:

A hundred in the last game has solidified Kohli’s credentials and he will be pumped up for the match against CSK. He has 378 runs in IPL 2019 at an average of 42 and his strike rate of 134.51 is higher than his career strike rate.

Most #IPL runs for one team
5326 – Virat Kohli #RCB
4351 – Suresh Raina #CSK
3671 – MS Dhoni #CSK
3589 – AB de Villiers RCB
3546 – Rohit Sharma #MI
3163 – Chris Gayle RCB
3035 – Gautam Gambhir #KKR
3029 – David Warner #SRH#IPL2019#KKRvRCB

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) April 19, 2019

Also check the SRH vs KKR IPL 2019 preview 

With 15 wickets in nine games, Imran Tahir has been the number one threat for batsmen. He is picking a wicket every 13.60 balls and has conceded just 5. 67 runs per over. Watch him out against the explosive batting line-up of RCB.