Super Sunday on the cards as the top 2 teams battle out in a massive Southern derby

Two squads which many experts would have opined to be able to pick out holes in, two teams that would not have been in everyone’s top 4 15 days ago, find themselves at the top of the points table. 8 games between them for just a solitary loss is an indication of how close a contest Sunday afternoon will throw up at the Wankhede.

RCB have grown from strength to strength with each passing game. From defeating the defending champions in the season-opener off the final ball of the game, a dominant 10-wicket win against the Royals in the previous game is a testament to the team’s progress. The team’s ability to have played on slow, low tracks in Chennai and seamlessly adapting to contrasting conditions in Mumbai is a heartening sign.

RCB have had multiple contributors to their wins throughout the season. While the openers had not fired in the tournament till the Mumbai leg, the more Chinnaswamy-like conditions came at the perfect time for Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal who seemed to enjoy the pace and bounce on offer at the Wankhede. A maiden IPL century for Devdutt Padikkal signaled his arrival in IPL 2021, while Captain Kohli’s middle of the bat saw some delightful action as he grew into his innings. If there were any minor concerns for the team management after a perfect 3-0 record in Chennai, they were vanquished in Mumbai.

The Chennai Superkings having endured a rare off-season in 2020 have returned to a familiar position on the points table, winning 3 of their first 4 games. All of their 3 wins have been convincing, with their top-order contributing largely to the team’s success. Deepak Chahar has created problems for the batsmen with the new ball and has picked up two 4-wicket hauls in the tournament thus far. Despite being subjected to intense pressure at the death by Pat Cummins with the bat, Chennai managed to hold their nerve.

MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli is a narrative that hardly needs to be told. The grandmaster on the final legs of his professional career will look to one-up his apprentice who looks a man on a mission with his Royal Challengers. The hot and humid Wankhede afternoon will give an added dimension of challenge for the players. Top 2 teams, a batting paradise, and a Sunday afternoon to look forward to!

Match details -

Chennai Superkings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Date and Time: 24th April 2021, 3:30 P.M. IST

Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Likely Playing XIs:

Royal Challengers Bangalore - Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (c), Shahbaz Ahmed, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Washington Sundar, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Kane Richardson, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Chennai Superkings - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Lungi Ngidi.