IPL Match First Match 2024, IPL Match Prediction CSK vs RCB

IPL Match First Match 2024 is here! IPL Match Prediction CSK vs RCB, defending IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2024 opener that will take place on March 22 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, and here is our prediction on why we think CSK have a slightly better chance of the first win!

IPL Match First Match 2024: All Eyes on Dhoni and Kohli

Chennai, five-time IPL winners, are set to host the RCB at their home turf, a team that is yet to win their maiden men’s trophy in 16 years of franchise cricket.

There were clouds of doubt over MS Dhoni’s fitness as the former Indian skipper will turn 42 this year in July, but a video of him smacking the CSK bowlers around the nets has rubbished such claims.

The CSK skipper was seen celebrating in an open-net session after hitting former West Indian captain and his friend, Dwayne Bravo, for a huge six. Dhoni looked fit, powerful and as ferocious as ever.

On the other hand, Virat Kohli is returning from a short layoff after the birth of his son which also had him skip the entire Test series against England at home. India went on to win the red-ball series 4-1.

Both Dhoni and Virat Kohli will garner the eyes of the cricketing world when the two IPL giants clash on Friday.

Probable Man of the Match Award Winner

For the IPL Match First Match 2024, here is the list of whom we think will be the probable Man of the Match award winner for the first IPL match prediction CSK vs RCB.

Jadeja

The finisher of last year’s finale is who deserves to be on the top of the list. Ravindra Jadeja is your go-to man in clutch moments in T20s. His services for the CSK have saved them games multiple times.

He’s just as good with the bat as he is with the ball. The all-rounder is coming off a successful series against England where his overall performance helped the hosts pull off another series win under Rohit Sharma’s wings.

Since his IPL debut in 2008, the Chennai star has amassed 2,677 runs and 152 wickets. However, he has scored only two fifties in his IPL career as he’s usually sent a little down the order in the finishing roles.

It will be vital for him this year to bring his absolute best with both bat and ball to not let the trophy move from CSK’s cabinets.

Virat Kohli

It is impossible to not include former Indian captain Virat Kohli when the conversation is about potential match winners.

The Chase Master is the highest all-time run-getter in the IPL, not just for his franchise, but the whole league.

With 50 half-centuries under his belt, Kohli oozes consistency. He is a batsman that every bowler on the opposite side wishes to pick the scalp of or else he can take the game away from you in a matter of minutes.

Representing RCB ever since the league’s inception, Kohli has been the epitome of batting, a role model for the upcoming generation following franchise cricket in India.

His ability to play according to the situation, turn singles into doubles and doubles into threes makes him unarguably the fittest player in the country, if not globally.

When the time comes, he can also make it rain with boundaries. Chennai would love to see the back of his shirt as early as they can on Friday.

Ravindra

After making a name for himself in such a short period of time in white-ball cricket, Rachin Ravindra is set to take Indian fans by storm when he plays for Dhoni’s unit in his debut IPL season this March.

It was earlier rumored that he may join RCB, but CSK were quick to cement him as their man in the auction.

Ravindra is likely to be a starter for the opening game. His duo with Jadeja can break RCB’s back, with both the bat and ball.

Mostly destructive with the bat as seen in the last World Cup, the 24-year-old can bowl left-arm orthodox spin in accurate channels as well. He may look like a lanky fellow, but he can hit it big repeatedly.

Cam Green

After a successful stint with Mumbai Indians, Cameron Green has joined Faf du Plessis’s hut for a whopping auction price of INR 17.5 crore.

The Australia all-rounder made it big in the international circuit in no time. His long levers helped him tonk the ball quite often and his tall figure got him extra pace and bounce wherever he was put to bowl.

Green’s ability to bat at any position also makes him an asset in T20 cricket. If he’s seeing the ball well, the 24-year-old Perth star will give Chennai a run for their money.

On the IPL match first match 2024, CSK will also have to be on the lookout for him when he’s given the ball. Despite the pitch supporting batter, his extra bounce can cause little trouble to batters, especially with the new ball.

Maxwell

Talking of potential match winners, Glenn Maxwell can’t be put off the list. The veteran RCB star will be the center of attention throughout the IPL due to his reputation.

No matter how out of form he is, Maxwell can destroy any bowling line-up in the world on a given day, just ask Afghanistan.

His double ton in the 50-over World Cup was shining evidence of how good he can be when he’s in his prime. Maxi’s ability to go berserk in late overs will be a potent threat for Chennai pacers.

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IPL Match Prediction CSK vs RCB

For the IPL match first match 2024, Bengaluru has arguably better batsmen, whereas Chennai takes pride in their experienced skipper and versatile all-rounders. With both teams just playing their opening games, no team can be declared a firm favorite over the other.

However, the homeground advantage lies with Dhoni’s men. And things are different with thousands of supporters chanting your team’s name and roaring for its glory.

Both sides seem equally balanced on paper, but for the first IPL match prediction CSK vs RCB, we predict that CSK will have a slightly better chance of taking the first win to their name as they will be more familiar with conditions as compared to the visitors.