Must-win home game for RR against CSK to stay alive in the tournament

The Ajinkya Rahane-led Rajasthan Royals (RR) might have an uphill task on hands as it attempts to upset the in-form and powerful Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK), twice title-winners and seemingly on course to win its third trophy in 11 years.  As reported earlier, CSK missed the 2016 and 2017 editions of the on-going Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament.

Though lying at No.2 on the points table besides Sunrisers Hyderabad (which leads with 18 points from 11 games), CSK might want to keep its winning streak against the Rajasthan Royals.  CSK leads the head-to-head encounters convincingly by 12-6 and has an even record at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur against RR by winning two matches and losing two.

In order to create awareness among the people about (the ills of) cancer, the RR players would be stepping out today in pink-coloured jereys and not in their usual blue-colour jerseys.  Change of colour of jerseys may not help RR’s plans in controlling CSK's rampaging opener Shane Watson (who hit a century when the last time the two teams met) who appears to be keen to do very well against the team he once captained.

Lying sixth at the table with 8 points, RR has to win all the four remaining games to give itself any chance of qualifying for the play-off stage.  At this stage, though, this remains a tough possibility but as they say, 'nothing is a certainty in cricket'.  Rahane, who hasn't been playing upto the standards he sets for himself in Test cricket and ODIs, should attempt to fire in today’s match besides successfully motivating his players to believe that not all is still lost and give their best.

Archer, Unadkat and Gowtham might be a handful in local condition but as it can be inferred, CSK’s supreme batting abilities might get them across any team on any given day.  CSK, as per Dhoni's own admission, has to still find a way to control the opposite batsmen during 'death' overs.  They did very well the last time and hopefully, they continue it in today’s match too.

Jadeja's new-found 'form' with the ball augurs well for CSK which should fancy Jadeja's chances of coming good with the bat too!

Players to watch out for:

CSK: Raina, Watson, Dhoni, Bravo
RR: Buttler, Stokes, Rahane, Sanju Samson