CSK seek return to winning form at home
Match facts
Monday, May 4, 2015
Start time 1600 local (1030 GMT)
Big picture
Forget the on-field rivalry for a moment. This is one of the most fiercely anticipated tussles by fans of either team, and tickets for the game are among the fastest to be sold out. Putting the 'south Indian derby' spin - a consequence of the socio-political history between the neighbouring states - on the contest makes it a more eyeball-grabbing affair than it already is.
The fan-following is polarised and over the last few years their battles have been fought, sometimes in rather ugly fashion, on social media with every slip up by the rival seen as an opportunity to circulate memes and videos parodying them.
The cricket, however, is an exciting proposition. Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore are coming off contrasting degrees of success. The visitors' streak of three wins - two of which were emphatic - in as many completed games began after their loss to Super Kings in Bangalore. Royal Challengers would now want to complete the circle by beating their opponents on their stomping ground.
Super Kings, on the other hand, have suffered twin defeats on the road, and will be relieved to be back on familiar terrain. R Ashwin's finger injury had rendered him unfit for both of these games, and the team management is expected to take a call on his availability on the morning of the match.
The forecast is for a typically hot Chennai afternoon, and the pitch is expected to play true with good bounce and some turn.
Form guide
Chennai Super Kings LLWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Royal Challengers Bangalore WWWLL
Watch out for…
Dwayne Smith has forged a dangerous alliance with Brendon McCullum at the top, and has unfailingly got Super Kings off to quick starts. What must be ominous for Royal Challengers is he hasn't yet kicked on to get a really big one. Saturday could be the day.
Mitchell Starc's arrival has had a direct impact on Royal Challengers rising in the league. He has picked up eight wickets from four innings and has the best economy rate - 5.78 - among his team-mates. Starc will relish the bounce on offer, and his one-on-one with McCullum may set up the game one way or the other.
Stats and trivia
- The two teams have played each other 19 times: Super Kings lead 11-7 with one no result. In Chennai, Super Kings enjoy a 5-1 record.
- Virat Kohli is the highest-scorer for Royal Challengers against Super Kings, with 660 runs at an average of 44. For Super Kings, Suresh Raina has scored 562 runs at 43.23. Both Kohli and Raina have played all the matches between the two sides.
Quotes
"AB [de Villiers] is a great cricketer, but he is a greater man. AB and Virat [Kohli] have helped me a lot. It was a dream come true, batting with him [Kohli]. All he told me was to express myself without any doubt. Words like those from your captain in such pressure situation do a world of good to a young batsman."
Mandeep Singh after his unbeaten 18-ball 45 helped Royal Challengers beat Kolkata Knight Riders
"We are still probably up near the top of the table. We now go back home where we have a pretty good record. We have to make sure we get a couple of more wins to take us close to qualifying."
Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming banks on home advantage
Arun Venugopal is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo