IPL 2019: 3 reasons why CSK can beat RCB in the season opener

This year, the IPL is scheduled to commence from 23rd March and the schedule for the first 17 matches has been released. RCB and CSK will kick-off the season this year and the match promises to be a cracker.

Both teams are known for entertaining the fans. This year RCB have added a lot more depth to their squad with the purchase of a few exciting players while CSK decided to retain most of their players from last year.

Despite RCB having some quality players in their bench this season, it still looks like CSK might walk away with the win. Here are three reasons why the defending champions are likely to overcome Virat Kohli's side in the season opener.

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#1 Right team combination

RCB Team Lineup

A new season means new faces. This year, RCB were quite busy at the auctions and purchased some really good players like Shimron Hetmyer, Shivam Dube and Heinrich Klaasen. They even traded in some quality players from other franchises like Marcus Stoinis.

While adding new players to beef up their squad is a good thing, RCB will need to experiment in order to get their combination right. They will certainly not have the perfect combination in the opening match as the management will be spoilt for choice.

Do they go with 4 bowlers, 2 all-rounders, and 5 batsmen? or do they select 4 bowlers, 3 all-rounders, and 4 batsmen? These are just some of the questions that will need to be answered and it doesn’t look like Royal Challengers Bangalore will have all the answers ahead their opening match against CSK.

On the hand, CSK barely added any new faces to their squad. In fact, they just purchased two players – Mohit Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad. This means that they haven’t released any of their big players and have the same playing XI as last year’s final.

When it comes to choice, MS Dhoni & Co. already know the combination they should opt for ahead of their match against RCB.

#2 Death bowling

Dwayne Bravo

Let’s address the elephant in the room - the death bowling of the sides. If you’re an RCB fan, then "death bowling" are two words you would not want to hear. In fact, RCB had the worst economy rate in the death overs last year, at 12.38 runs per over. Their bowlers struggled to defend runs at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which is famous for its small boundaries.

The big questions remain whether they have addressed this issue in the auctions. Again, it all comes down to the combination they choose to play and their mix of overseas players. This year, they have tried to strengthen their death bowling by bringing in death over specialists like Nathan Coulter-Nile. RCB have to select their overseas bowlers carefully.

On the hand, CSK has been slightly better than RCB in their death bowling department. Dwayne Bravo has been a crucial death bowler for CSK for the past few years and it looks like he will retain that role this year as well. Chennai Super Kings have also added Mohit Sharma, another death over specialist to their squad. Mohit is known for varying his pace in the death overs and he will be crucial to CSK’s success.

#3 Home advantage for CSK

Chennai Super Kings

It’s time to talk about the venue. This match will take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The venue definitely plays a small factor in the match result. Over the years, we have witnessed teams like Rajasthan Royals build a fortress at home which is almost impenetrable. Likewise, Chennai Super Kings also have built a fortress at home over the past few seasons.

CSK at home

In fact, out of the 48 games that CSK have played at Chennai, they have managed to win 34 matches at a winning percentage of 70.83%.

RCB away from home

On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore have had a horrible time in away matches. Winning away from home can be a challenge for any team and RCB have been prone to playing horribly when the conditions are unfamiliar to them.

In matches away from home, RCB holds a record of 32 wins and 40 losses which puts their winning percentage at 44.44%.

CSK and RCB head to head

Now, let’s compare how RCB and CSK have done against each other. RCB’s record against CSK has been dismal, to say the least. RCB have performed underwhelmingly against CSK, both at home and on the road.

Out of the 22 meetings between these two teams, RCB have won 7 matches while CSK have won 14 games. No matter how good a team RCB seems to have, Virat Kohli and his team just can’t seem to get the win over the current IPL Champions.

RCB and CSK head to head at Chennai

At Chennai, CSK has completely dominated RCB throughout the years. RCB have only managed to beat CSK once in Chennai and that victory was way back in the inaugural season.

Looking at the above statistics, it looks like RCB will have their work cut out for them when they take on Chennai Super Kings in the season’s opening match on 23rd March.