CSK vs RCB, IPL 2019 Opening Match: Virat Kohli to Shane Watson, 5 Players Who Can Make Up for No Opening Ceremony In VIVO IPL 12
Its advantage Chennai in the IPL’s heavyweight encounter and Bangalore will really have to play out of its depths to win this one.
VIVO Indian Premier League 2019, the 12th edition of star-studded Twenty20 tournament begins with a mouth-watering clash between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Both teams boast of a galaxy of cricketing greats, from Virat Kohli to MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers to Shane Watson that can turn the tide in their favour. Although the home team has not lost to Virat Kohli’s men in five years, every new encounter brings itself new opportunities. If RCB can get its act together, they can start with a win. But do they have the believe in them after years of underperforming particularly against the Men in Yellow?
Let us have a quick look at the five players who are most likely to make an impact on the game. IPL 2019: With No Opening Ceremony This Season, Here’s a Look Back at Some of the Best IPL Opening Ceremonies from Previous Editions.
Virat Kohli
The best batsman in the world has opened the innings in the past for his side, and it will be interesting to see where he bats against CSK. The Bangalore management will want Virat to face the maximum number of deliveries as he will help them get a big total on a batting friendly Chennai pitch. His captaincy skills will be under the scanner today especially after the Gautam Gambhir jibe on his inability to win the IPL. CSK vs RCB, IPL 2019 1st Match Preview: Blockbuster on Cards as MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings Play Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore in VIVO IPL 12 Opener.
AB De Villiers
The only player that probably was better than even Virat Kohli when an active cricketer on the international scene. The now retired former Proteas skipper also known as Mr 360, has every shot in the book and enthrals fans with his batting particularly in T20 cricket. If he gets going, RCB may very well bat out the hosts from the contest.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
‘Thala’ as he is popularly called by the CSK fans has led three IPL winning campaigns for the Chennai Super Kings in the past. He was brilliant with the bat last season with some fantastic hitting coming in higher up the order. MSD as a captain is also the best in the league as no one comes quite close to this master strategist in terms of chalking out plans.
Ravindra Jadeja
The Indian all-rounder is a crucial cog in the CSK bowling unit and knows the condition at MA Chidambaram Stadium well. In the middle overs, if he finds his rhythm than RCB batsman will find it really tough to get him away. In CSK’s game against RCB at Pune last season, he opened the bowling and created mayhem in the first six overs helping restrict Virat Kohli’s team to under 130.
Shane Watson
The former Australian batsman scored in excess of 550 runs last season including a final in the hundred against SRH to win the 2018 IPL. He is coming into the tournament after a brilliant campaign in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and Chennai Super Kings will reply on his all-round skills to win the game. His fitness levels are impeccable, and it will be no surprise if he bowls his full quota of four overs.
You can get Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Live Cricket Score 1st T20 Match here. Its advantage Chennai in the IPL’s heavyweight encounter and Bangalore will really have to play out of its depths to win this one.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 23, 2019 01:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).