RCB vs CSK: Kohli's chance for redemption as RCB face tough CSK test

IPL 2021, RCB vs CSK: Virat Kohli’s chance for redemption as RCB face tough CSK test – After their dreadful performance in the last game of IPL 2021, Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) seek redemption as they face table-toppers and MS Dhoni captained Chennai Super Kings.

KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy, player of the Match, wreaked havoc and played a crucial role in bowling out RCB for 92 in 19 overs in Match 31 of the IPL 2021 in Abu Dhabi on Monday. In reply, KKR chased down the target, with 10 overs to spare and bagged two points.

After the game, Virat Kohli also praised Chakaravarthy, saying that the mystery spinner will play a key role when he plays for India.

IPL 2021, RCB vs CSK: Virat Kohli’s chance for redemption as RCB face tough CSK test

“He’s (Varun Chakravarthy) pretty good, that’s exactly what I was saying in the dug-out, he’s going to be a key factor when he plays for India. We need to see performances like these from all the youngsters so that the bench strength of Indian cricket stays strong. And, he’s someone who is going to play in the near future for India and it’s a great sign,” Kohli said during the post-match presentation.

However, last 10 days hasn’t been well for Virat Kohli both as India and RCB captain.

After Kohli decided to step down as captain citing workload management, his fans were worried but they expected Virat- the batsman to flourish. However, it wasn’t the case as RCB captain couldn’t contribute much in the clash against KKR.

Playing his 200th IPL game, the RCB skipper was dismissed by Prasidh Krishna in the second over of the game. Virat’s body language also suggested that he wasn’t at his absolute best.

The next game against CSK is an opportunity for Kohli to level up his game and silence his critics. But, it won’t be an easy task against in-form Chennai Super Kings.

CSK have the likes of Josh Hazlewood, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Moeen Ali, Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja in the bowling lineup- and they won’t give any freebies to RCB captain. And, MS Dhoni, who knows Virat in and out, will also have a plan in place for him.

However, Kohli has a history of playing well against CSK and he will look to repeat his heroics with the bat.

Apart from Kohli, other RCB batters will also have to step up and play at their absolute best, if they want to challenge mighty CSK.

On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings will look to sort out their batting issues. In their last clash against Mumbai Indians (MI), the Kiwi pace-bowling duo of Trent Boult and Milne ran through the CSK top-order.

Thanks to Ruturaj Gaikwad’s impressive knock of 88* and valuable contributions from Ravindra Jadeja ( 26) and Dwayne Bravo (23), CSK posted a fighting total and later defended it successfully.

Eyes will also be on Ambati Rayudu’s inclusion in the playing XI. Rayudu was retired hurt after being hit on his elbow by a Adam Milne delivery.

Meanwhile, Sam Curran has also finished his mandatory quarantine and will be also available for selection. However, MS Dhoni, who is known to stict to his playing XI, is unlikely to make any change, especially after winning the last game quite comfortably.

Though, CSK are table toppers, the form of Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni is still a concern for them. Both, Raina and Dhoni have given ordinary performances with the bat so far.

CSK will look to continue their winning momentum while RCB will look to bounce back after losing their last game. Overall, it will be a mouth-watering clash for Dhoni and Virat supporters as well IPL fans.

IPL 2021, RCB vs CSK: Virat Kohli’s chance for redemption as RCB face tough CSK test

RCB vs CSK Squads:

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers (W), Devdutt Padikkal, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Pavan Deshpande, Shahbaz Ahmed, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel, Glenn Maxwell, Sachin Baby, Rajat Patidar Mohammed Azharuddeen, Kyle Jamieson, Dan Christian, Suyash Prabhudessai, K S Bharat, Finn Allen, Akash Deep, Dushmantha Chameera, George Garton, Tim David, Wanindu Hasaranga

Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni (C) (W), Ambati Rayudu, KM Asif, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Narayan Jagadeesan, Karn Sharma, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Santner, R Sai Kishore, Ravindra Jadeja, Robin Uthappa, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, Suresh Raina, Moeen Ali, Krishnappa Gowtham, Cheteshwar Pujara, Harishankar Reddy, C Hari Nishaanth, Bhagath Varma, Josh Hazlewood

Where to watch: Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar

Venue – Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

Timings – 19:30 IST

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