In the grand tapestry of IPL 2024, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is bracing for a showdown that’s nothing short of legendary. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are on the brink of scripting history, playing their 100th T20 match on this sacred cricketing ground. With an unbroken winning streak on May 18th, the stadium has become a bastion of victory for RCB, a day when they’ve consistently turned the tide in their favor.

This season’s narrative for RCB reads like a blockbuster movie script. After a dismal start that saw them at the bottom of the table, they’ve surged back with a vengeance, stringing together wins that have left the fans spellbound. At the heart of this revival is the indomitable Virat Kohli, whose bat speaks a language of aggression and finesse, reminiscent of his golden run in 2016. The bowling contingent, too, has stepped up, transforming RCB into a cricketing powerhouse.

The stakes are sky-high as they face the formidable Chennai Super Kings (CSK), now under the fresh captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad. RCB’s mission is clear: they need a victory, and not just any win, but one that’s emphatic enough to elevate their Net Run Rate and secure a spot in the playoffs. They need to outclass CSK by 18 or more runs or chase a target with a minimum of 11 balls to spare. Conversely, CSK’s equation is straightforward – a win of any margin, or even a rain-induced washout, would propel them into the playoffs, simultaneously dashing RCB’s dreams.

As if the match itself wasn’t thrilling enough, the weather adds a layer of intrigue, with the possibility of rain casting a shadow over the proceedings. 

With the countdown to this monumental clash underway, the anticipation is palpable. RCB’s storied May 18th legacy and the milestone of their 100th T20 at the Chinnaswamy add an extra dimension to the drama. Will the stars align for RCB once again, or will this day mark a new chapter in their history? The stage is set, the players are ready, and the fans are waiting with bated breath for what promises to be an epic battle where glory and heartbreak are but a heartbeat away. 

Head-To-Head In IPL:


 

Milestone Alert

1- Dinesh Karthik (299) needs one dismissal to complete 300 Dismissals in T20s.

4- MS Dhoni (46) needs four sixes to complete 50 sixes against RCB in IPL.

7- Virat Kohli (2993) needs seven runs to complete 3000 IPL runs at Chinnaswamy Stadium.

9- Ruturaj Gaikwad (91) needs nine sixes to complete 100 sixes in IPL.

44- MS Dhoni(4644) needs 44 runs to surpass Suresh Raina and become the leading run scorer for CSK in IPL.

76- Virat Kohli (7924) needs 76 runs to complete 8000 runs in IPL.

88- Dinesh Karthik (912) needs 88 runs to complete 1000 runs for RCB in IPL. 

Venue Stats In IPL 2024 at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium:



Players Battles To Watch Out For:



 

Pitch Report | Danny Morrison and Deep Dasgupta:

Morrison: "We are here for the blockbuster in the Garden City. This is going to be a cracker. We are in the middle of the pitch. To my right is 60m, to my left is also 60m, and downtown is 70m. The smaller pocket is under 60m. Joining me is our pitch guru, Deep Dasgupta."

Dasgupta: "The pitch has no grass and looks dry. It appears mosaic and broken, but it’s rock hard with no moisture content. Runs will be on offer, but the batters will need to apply themselves. We need to keep an eye on the weather as well. I've been here since yesterday, and we've only had drizzles so far."



TOSS:  Won the Toss and Elected to Field 



 

Ruturaj Gaikwad |   Skipper: "We will bowl first. The wicket looks good, there's no dew around, but the conditions are overcast. We want to capitalize on the first 2-3 overs. It’s a small ground, so chasing here should be comfortable.The pitch was a bit damp, but with the impact player rule, everyone comes hard. Every game in the IPL is a must-win. Nothing new for us; we've been in this situation before. We need to focus on our processes and winning the small battles is key for us." 


Faf du Plessis |  Skipper: "Yes, we would have liked to field first as well. We lost the toss a couple of days ago but still posted a big total and won the game.The toss isn't a big deal. Our confidence is high, and the boys are ready for it.It's set up nicely for us. Two good teams and one goes through. We’ll stick to our processes, keep things simple, and focus on the win without thinking too far ahead.We have no changes; it's the same team."