CSK vs RCB: The highly-anticipated IPL cricketing carnival is just a day away from getting underway. MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are set to lock horns with Faf du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the tournament opener.

The southern derby will go all guns blazing at CSK's fortress, MA Chidambaram Stadium, commonly known as the Chepauk Stadium. The defending champions will start as favourites in their territory and it remains to be seen how the tournament opener pans out. Let's now take a look at the four batsmen from both teams who can pile up the most runs in the first match.

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad: CSK's talismanic batter Ruturaj Gaikwad is expected to have a cracking season. The Maharashtra-born has been the most successful opener for CSK since 2020. He won the Orange Cap for scoring 635 runs in the title-winning season in 2021. The right-hander piled up 590 runs in 16 games for CSK in the title-winning campaign in 2023. Overall, he scored 1797 runs at an average of 39.07 and a strike rate of 135.52, laced with 1 century and 14 fifties.

2. Virat Kohli: Former RCB captain Virat Kohli can take pride in the fact that he is the leading run-getter in IPL history with 7263 runs at an average of 37.2 and a strike rate of 130. It is worth noting that he smashed 7 centuries and 50 fifties in his stellar IPL career and will be looking to add more in the next season. The batting maestro is expected to make a telling impact for RCB in the upcoming game against CSK. He scored 999 runs in 31 innings against CSK at an average of 37 and a strike-rate of 125.34.

3. Daryl Mitchell: The five-time IPL champions did the right thing to recruit the New Zealand's batting mainstay, Daryl Mitchell for INR 14 crore at the IPL 2024 auction. The big money signing will be looking to make an instant impact by making his presence count in the team's first game against RCB. The 32-year-old batter scored 1260 runs at a strike rate of 138.6 including seven fifties.

4. Glenn Maxwell: Australia's prolific all-rounder Glenn Maxwell who knows the tricks and trades of T20 cricket will be curiously looking forward to making the opportunities count for RCB once again. He has been one of the pivotal players for RCB in the batting and bowling department. Having played 124 games, he scored 2719 runs at an impressive strike rate of 157.6 including 18 fifties. He is certain to pose serious threats to CSK bowlers with his fearless approach.