RCB vs CSK IPL 2024: Who Will be the Top Four Wicket-takers in Bengaluru vs Chennai?

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In Match 68 of IPL 2024, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will host Chennai Super Kings at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday (May 17). With the fourth spot in the play-offs at stake, the Southern Derby of IPL 2024 has eventually become a knock-out match.

The hosts with a five-match long winning streak, are at sixth with 12 points in thirteen matches. To qualify for the playoffs they have to beat CSK by a big margin along with certain conditions. Whereas CSK is sitting at fourth with 14 points and to seal the spot they have to win the match or if they lose, it has to be by a narrow margin.

These two arch-rivals have met 32 times in the past and CSK have an overwhelming dominance over their rivals with a 21 to 10 winning ratio. In their last five face-offs, RCB have managed to register only a single victory, back in 2022. Their last meeting was in the reverse fixture in this IPL, where the Kings beat RCB by 6 wickets.

IPL 2024 RCB vs CSK: Bowling Squad Comparison

Despite being a batter-heavy team with one of the weakest bowling sides of the tournament, they have been decent in the last few matches. Yash Dayal, Mohammed Siraj and Lockie Ferguson, all the pacers are looking formidable. Karn Sharma and Swapnil Singh are also in decent form. Though overall in this season the RCB bowlers remain expensive, they have the batting prowess to compensate for that.

On the other hand, despite having a deep batting line-up, CSK is lacking the consistency in batting for which they are known. As a result, the bowlers have to take the pressure. To make the condition worse, Deepak Chahar and Matheesha Pathirana will be unavailable due to injuries while Mustafizur Rahman and Moeen Ali have already returned home for international commitments. Tushar Deshpande, Simranjeet Singh and Mitchell Santner will be the probable pace options while the spin unit will be managed by Ravindra Jadeja and Maheesh Theekshana.

IPL 2024 RCB vs CSK: Who Will Pick Maximum Wickets in Match 68?

Yash Dayal (RCB): The 26-year-old left-arm medium-fast bowler has bagged 13 wickets this season. Despite a rough start of the campaign he made a comeback and helped RCB to get back on its feet. Dayal has been excellent in the powerplays at today's venue. The Indian fast bowler would be a great match-up against Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra, as they both got dismissed multiple times against left-arm pace this season.

Mohammed Siraj (RCB): The only experienced pacer of the RCB squad has now got back his form and is spearheading the RCB-pace unit. The 30-year-old right-arm medium-fast bowler has 12 wickets in this IPL. His challenge will be to get an early breakthrough against the CSK top order.

Tushar Deshpande (CSK): The 29-year-old right-arm medium pacer is in the race for the Purple Cap given CSK qualified for playoffs. So far the Indian pacer has picked up 16 wickets. As the other regular fast bowlers will be absent, the duty will be upon him to topple down the RCB's top-heavy batting line-up.

Ravindra Jadeja (CSK): The 35-year-old veteran spinner has delivered numerous moments for CSK in the past which turned the fate of the match. The left-arm orthodox spinner though has been less productive in this IPL and managed to get only 8 wickets so far, due to his records, he will be crucial against RCB. Jadeja has dismissed Glenn Maxwell six times and scalped Karthik and Kohli three times each in the past. A similar display would be expected from him against RCB to proceed further in the tournament.

A staggering back-to-back five-match winning streak from the edge to get eliminated from the league is nothing less but a miracle. But RCB had done that and will try their best to do the same in the next match also. Whereas CSK lacked consistency throughout the season and yet almost secured a spot in the play-offs. Without the main bowlers, it will be a difficult task for CSK to pull off a victory against this in-form RCB. Hence, a legendary battle is expected from these arch-rivals, if rain does not interrupt the match.