Can Ashwin and Chahal negate CSK's home advantage?
Royals have the resources to storm fortress Chepauk, where Super Kings have a nearly 72% win rate in the IPL
R Ashwin is the highest wicket-taker at Chepauk (46) in IPL history • BCCI
Big picture - Can Royals conquer Chepauk too?
On most days, playing at Chepauk gives Chennai Super Kings a distinct advantage, but Rajasthan Royals have the resources to neutralise their home advantage.
IPL 2023 form guide
Chennai Super Kings WWL (most recent first)
Rajasthan Royals WLW
Team news - CSK have plenty to think about
Deepak Chahar's hamstring injury will keep him out. Ben Stokes, who missed the game against Mumbai with a toe injury, is set to miss out on Wednesday too, with Jadeja saying in a pre-match press conference that the allrounder would be fit in 4-5 days.
Impact Player strategy
Chennai Super Kings
Rahane's blazing start to the season gives Super Kings flexibility now. Batting first, they can name three overseas players initially and bring in Theekshana or Sisanda Magala in the second innings as the Impact Player. Batting second, they are better off starting with experienced overseas bowlers and swapping out an Indian seamer for Ambati Rayudu or Rahane later.
An Indian seamer or Dhruv Jurel are the favourites to be the Impact Players, depending on the toss result.
Stats that matter - Boult vs Gaikwad, Buttler vs CSK spinners could be key battles
- It may be harsh, but should Rahane be left out? He has poor strike-rates against Sandeep (92.20), R Ashwin (116.66), Chahal (107.69) and Boult (97.22), losing his wicket a combined 12 times to the four bowlers in T20s.
- The two top powerplay batting units of IPL 2023 face off. Royals have a run-rate of 11.66 and score 52.5 runs on average per wicket in the first six overs. Super Kings have corresponding numbers of 11.00 and 66.00.
- The Conway-Gaikwad partnership has been a bit hit-or-miss: they have three century stands so far, as well as five single-digit stands.
- Boult has been in red-hot form with the new ball, and he might look forward to bowling to Gaikwad. The Super Kings opener has been out 11 times in 19 IPL innings to that style of bowling.
- Buttler has struggled against both Santner (26 runs in 24 balls) and Theekshana (19 runs in 25 balls) in T20s. Moeen, meanwhile, has dismissed him three times in seven innings, while only conceding 46 runs in 39 balls.
- No team has successfully defended a sub-190 total in IPL 2023.
Pitch and conditions
It is likely to cool down at night but the day-time heat could dry out the pitch and get it to offer more turn. There is expected to be about 60% humidity and 10% chance of rain.
Sreshth Shah is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @sreshthx