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IPL 2021 preview: Can Sanju Samson's captaincy help Rajasthan Royals trump Chennai Super Kings?

This is the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League, which is being played in India. Chennai Super Kings is a former three-time champion, having won it all under MS Dhoni. As for Rajasthan Royals, it won the inaugural edition in 2008 under Shane Warne.

IPL 2021, Match 12: Rajasthan Royals trump Chennai Super Kings (CSK vs RR) preview?-ayh
Author
Mumbai, First Published Apr 18, 2021, 8:51 PM IST

With just over a week into the 2021 Indian Premier League, we have already witnessed some shocks and surprises. Meanwhile, in Match 12, two former champions collide as Chennai Super Kings takes on Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday.

CSK continues to be led by MS Dhoni, while it failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time last season. Meanwhile, RR would be looking to turn things around this season under the new captaincy of Sanju Samson as we present the preview of this exciting clash.

Current form
Both the teams have played a couple of games each and have won and lost each. As a result, this makes things even interesting.

Team combination
As for the team combination, CSK has a balanced squad, considering the firepower in each department. With equal capped talents in all, it is a perfect squad and would look to with a balanced one on a sporty Mumbai wicket.

For RR, it is a highly bowling-heavy side, 16-13, to be precise. Also, with more capped recruits in bowling, it is sure to give the CSK batsmen a tough time.

Injury concerns
CSK does not have any fresh injury concerns. Meanwhile, RR would be missing out on productive all-rounder Ben Stokes owing to a broken finger.

Follow all IPL 2021 updates here

Head-to-head
In 24 games between the two so far, CSK has won 14, with RR winning ten. In 23 IPL games, CSK leads 14-9, while in 19 matches in India, CSK leads 11-8. It would be their maiden clash in Mumbai.

IPL 2021, Match 12: Rajasthan Royals trump Chennai Super Kings (CSK vs RR) preview?-ayh

Weather and pitch report
The weather in Mumbai would continue to remain hot, with a temperature around 33 degrees and 63% humidity. As for the track, another sporty one awaits, with seamers getting tide assistance. Also, with the dew in mind, bowling first remains an ideal choice.

Probable XI
CSK:
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf Du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar.
RR: Manan Vohra/ Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), David Miller, Shivam Dube, Rahul Tewatia, Riyan Parag, Chris Morris, Shreyas Gopal, Mustafizur Rahman and Chetan Sakariya.

Fantasy XI
Batsmen:
Raina, Miller, Parag- Raina is sure to strengthen things at number three, while Parag can consolidate in the middle. Miller is the right choice as a finisher.
Wicketkeeper: Samson (c)- He is the only guy that fits in the department, while his dominant form makes him the skipper.
All-rounders: Jadeja, Morris, Moeen (vc), Curran- Jadeja, Moeen and Curran are the proper all-rounders here, who are sure to contribute in every department. Meanwhile, Morris would be crucial with his pace bowling, besides contributing with the bat if needed. Moeen's consistency of late makes him Samson's deputy.
Bowlers: Unadkat, Chahar, Sakariya- In an all-round pace attack, we have Unadkat, highly influential since the beginning, while Chahar and Sakariya are dominating as well recently.

Match details
Date and day:
April 19, 2021 (Monday)
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Time: 7.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar

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