Table-toppers Bangalore take on second-placed Chennai in a mouth-watering Indian T20 League clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, April 25.
Bangalore remain the only unbeaten team in the tournament so far as the Virat Kohli-led side has won their first four matches of Indian T20 League 2021.
On the other hand, MS Dhoni’s Chennai have also looked in great form as they have won three out of their four matches.
Both Bangalore and Chennai will look to secure a win in this fixture to gain some much-needed momentum as they shift to a new venue.
Chennai vs Bangalore probable playing XI
While Chennai have won their last three matches on the trot after losing to Delhi in their season opener, the franchise would be a little bit concerned with the way their bowling wilted in their last match under the onslaught from Kolkata lower order comprising Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik and Pat Cummins. Furthermore, Dhoni will also be worried with the form of Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu, who have been guilty of throwing their wickets away. However, Chennai are expected to retain their playing XI against Bangalore.
For Bangalore, captain Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers are in red-hot form and they would look to continue their good form at the batting-friendly Wankhede track.
Their bowling department has been equally impressive this season as the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal have all contributed.
Bangalore are also expected to remain unchanged against Chennai on Sunday.
Chennai predicted XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (captain/wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, Lungi Ngidi, Deepak Chahar
Bangalore predicted XI: Virat Kohli (captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Shahbaz Ahmed, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers (wicket-keeper), Kane Richardson, Washington Sundar, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
Chennai vs Bangalore prediction: Who will win?
In the Chennai vs Bangalore head-to-head record in the Indian T20 League, MS Dhoni’s side has a clear edge over Virat Kohli’s men. The three-time champions have won 16 of the 26 matches played between these two sides while Bangalore have registered just nine victories. One of those encounters ended with no result. Additionally, Chennai have won three of their last five fixtures between the teams. MS Dhoni and his men are likely to be favourites for the clash due to their superior head-to-head record.
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Top Tip: Best Batsmen
Even though MS Dhoni hasn’t enjoyed the best of seasons so far on his return to competitive cricket since the last edition of Indian T20 League, the 39-year-old has a stellar record against Bangalore in the league. Dhoni has amassed 823 runs in 27 innings at a strike rate of 141.89 with four fifties to his name. The former India captain is tipped to score most runs against one of his favourite opposition on Sunday.
For Bangalore, captain Virat Kohli will be the player to watch out for against Chennai. Kohli has hit eight fifties against MS Dhoni’s side in just 25 innings. The 32-year-old has aggregated 887 runs at an average of 42.23.
Top Tip: Best Bowlers
In the bowling department, Chennai left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja is tipped to be the wrecker-in-chief for his side against Bangalore. The Gujarat-born cricketer has bagged 20 wickets in 22 innings against the opposition at an economy of 7.24.
Meanwhile, Chennai’s biggest bowling threat will be leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. The 30-year-old has scalped 12 wickets in 11 innings against MS Dhoni and his men.
Top Tips: All-rounder and Wicket-keeper
Chennai possess several top all-rounders in their line-up including Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali and Shardul Thakur. However, in-form England all-rounder Moeen Ali would be the preferred choice for the spot. Ali has scored 133 runs and picked four wickets in four matches this season.
For Bangalore, Washington Sundar has already shown why he is such a utility cricketer in the shortest format of the game. Sundar has already picked 27 wickets while scoring 204 runs in 40 Indian T20 League matches.
For the wicket-keeper position, AB de Villiers would be the preferred choice over MS Dhoni. De Villiers is considered to be one of the best fielders to have played the sport. He is equally a safe fielder behind the stumps. The former South Africa captain has taken 107 catches and completed eight stumpings in the Indian T20 League history.
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Featured photo: IPL/BCCI
