Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are slated to take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the opening game of IPL 2024. Matthew Hayden has claimed that Virat Kohli has a sensational record against CSK which can play a big role for RCB. However, Hayden heaped praises for Dhoni who has managed to dismiss Kohli within the powerplays in recent times.
Hayden went on to claim that a highly contested fight is going to take place when the two teams lock horns on 22nd March. Virat Kohli will play a huge role for the Royal Challengers as they target their maiden IPL trophy.
“Virat enjoys a great record against the Chennai Super Kings, but since 2021 in the powerplay MS Dhoni has done something different. In three out of the five innings, he’s gotten out within the power plays. Well one thing is for certain, it is a blockbuster showdown, Virat Kohli pretty much this year is going to be celebrated across all the games. His average is 30 at Chepauk Stadium with a strike rate of 111,” Hayden said as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Despite having a great record, it is the MS Dhoni factor that has reduced Kohli’s greatness in recent times. Dhoni with his clever plans have managed to outwit Kohli in the previous occasions since 2021 at Chepauk. This will prove a crucial role in the opening game of the IPL.
“So straight away that shows the greatness of Virat has been reduced in terms of his overall performance at that venue. It is a tricky venue to bat on, especially as an opening batsman against a sort of weird tennis ball type bounce. It’s a quite slow and difficult, especially to play his shots early and then the long he seems to bat the game opens up and that’s where Virat can be at his most dangerous,” Hayden concluded.