Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has openly acknowledged the formidable challenge of facing Virat Kohli in the IPL, emphasizing how any match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting stalwart elevates the stakes significantly.
Speaking on JioStar’s ‘Star Nahi Far’ initiative, Gaikwad expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming clash between CSK and RCB, particularly with Rajat Patidar at the helm of the opposition. ‘Really looking forward to playing against RCB, especially with Rajat as the new captain. Immediately when they announced Rajat as the captain, I messaged him and wished him good luck. We have been friends for a while now, we know each other really well, and obviously, RCB has been one of the strongest teams,’ Gaikwad remarked.
However, the CSK captain was quick to highlight the ever-present challenge posed by Virat Kohli. ‘They have done really well every year now. And whenever Virat Kohli is in the opposition, whenever he is playing, it is always a clash to look forward to. He’s been doing it for a really long time now, consistently for RCB and for the country as well. So, it is always a great match, and after Mumbai Indians, this is the second match we always look forward to,’ Gaikwad added.
The historical rivalry between RCB and CSK at Chepauk adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming encounter. RCB has only managed a single victory at this venue in IPL history, dating back to 2008. With conditions favoring spin, CSK is poised to exploit RCB’s vulnerabilities on a turning track.
CSK’s spin department looks formidable with Ravichandran Ashwin rejoining forces with Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad. Their recent triumph over Mumbai Indians, where they restricted the batting lineup to just 70 runs for five wickets in 11 overs, underscores their dominance.
For RCB, Virat Kohli’s battle against spin will be a key subplot. His recent improvements in playing spin, particularly his adept use of sweeps and slog sweeps, will be put to the test against CSK’s attack. However, for RCB to stand a chance, support from players like Phil Salt, Krunal Pandya, and Tim David will be crucial.