Chance for CSK to return to the top

Match 32 of this year’s Vivo Indian Premier League sees a chance for the Chennai Super Kings to return to the top of the table, after their nail biting defeat to the Mumbai Indians last time out. Whereas the Rajasthan Royals will be hopeful that they can put their injury woes behind them and can make it two from two with a win in this one.

Buttler’s Back

It was fun in the sun for the Royals as the cruised past the struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad on the first of Sunday’s double header. It was the England overseas wicket keeper Jos Buttler who stole the show, hitting his first T20 ton, helping the Royals reach an almighty 220/3 from their 20 overs. Buttler put on 150 with his captain Sanju Samson as the pair of them guided the Royals to a pretty much unassailable position.

With the ball, the Royals just had to hold their nerve to secure the points, and that is what they did, restricting the Sunrisers to just 165, picking up 8 wickets in the process. They were split between four bowlers with Mustafizur Rahman and Chris Morris both picking up three wickets.

A performance that shows the world that the Royals really can be the real deal, even if they are missing some of their biggest stars.

So close, but so far

It was a thriller on Saturday night as the biggest IPL fixture went down to the wire. CSK would have been very happy at the half way point, with 218 runs on the board after half centuries from Ambati Rayudu (72*), Moeen Ali (58) and Faf du Plessis (50).

However unlike the Royals on Sunday, they were unable to defend a big score, after the Mumbai Indians got over the line, after needing two runs off the final ball of the match. Sam Curran was the pick of the bunch, claiming three wickets, but apart from that all of the bowlers struggled to keep the run chase under control.

Match Tip

Du Plessis and Gaikwad have been the constant that CSK needed at the top of the order, and their form has been a big reason as to why they find themselves where they are in the table.

That’s why I am backing the Chennai Super Kings to have a higher opening partnership in the game between the Rajasthan Royals and the Chennai Super Kings at 1.80 with Casumo.

Bet Chennai Super Kings to have higher opening partnership on Casumo