CSK vs RR: Who will win today? Here's our prediction
Chennai Super Kings will be determined to show their home fans what they will be missing when they host the Rajasthan Royals in Pune. CSK's games have been shifted out of Chennai after shoes were hurled at Jadeja and Faf du Plessis over the long-standing Cauvery water dispute. So who will win tonight in Chennai Super Kings' makeshift new home? Here's our prediction.
Chennai Super Kings might be playing miles away from home in Pune but the city is going to be all yellow. Yes, CSK have arranged a special train called the 'Whistle Podu Express' for the Yellow Brigade to enjoy the match in Pune.
#Yellove gangsss! En route Pune on #WhistlePoduExpress 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/hgvIvBlfNM
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 19, 2018
The Craze for Chennai Super Kings is simply Ethereal! @ChennaiIPL#WhistlePoduExpress pic.twitter.com/hWIQqyG55C
— Whistle Podu Army - CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) April 19, 2018
CSK have built a team full of veteran cricketers and injuries are their biggest concern. However, Suresh Raina (suffered calf-injury) and MS Dhoni (back-issues) should be fit to make the playing XI tonight. With the presence of these two men in Chennai's XI, no score looks difficult. If CSK bat first, then our prediction is they will set a target of 170+.
Spinners will have a big say at Pune. This makes life difficult for Royals whose batting line-up has shown a distinct weakness against spin in the IPL so far. Keeping in mind that CSK have a strong spin attack, Rajasthan will have to tinker with their unchanged XI. If they bat first, you can expect a score in the range of 160
South African veteran spinner Imran Tahir could be Dhoni's trump card tonight. The 39-year-old has a stunning record in Pune averaging two wickets per match. He has an average of 15.1 and an economy rate of 7.81. Heinrich Klaasen, an excellent player of spin, could be brought in tonight for RR. We saw him pummel Chahal and Kuldeep in South Africa earlier this year.
