Match 16 Preview: CSK (52%) expected to win against RCB (48%) in close encounter.

By Amar Dani On April 13, 2013

The Caribbean thunder Chris Gayle will be on captain MS Dhoni’s mind when Chennai will face Royal challengers Bangalore this Saturday at Chidambaram Stadium.

Chris gayle is in impeccable form and his two knocks, 92 against Mumbai Indians and a blazing 85 against Kolkata knight riders which includes 9 massive sixe’s did the damage and gave Royal Challengers Bangalore a healthy net run rate at the top of the table. He was indomitable against the pace attack and punished them like a school boy, but he seemed a bit uncomfortable when Sunrise Hyderabad brought part time off-spinner Hanuman Vihari and claimed the wicked of Chris Gayle. MS Dhoni will also do the same by bringing R Ashwin considering the latter took the wicket of gayle cheaply at the IPL 2011.

Apart from Gayle, Captain Virat Kohli is in sublime form too. His 93 against Sunrise Hyderabad was supreme. In fact he is right now the holder of orange cap with 198 runs. The return of AB De Villiers has furthermore strengthened the team and Moses Henrique gives virat kohli an option with both bat and ball.

The bowling department of Royal challengers bangalore is also making some headlines with R Vinay Kumar holding the purple cap with 7 wickets. He has been the key bowler for Captain Virat Kohli and delivered whenever required. RP Singh also looks promising claiming 6 wickets in two matches.

Chennai opened their campaign with a loss to Mumbai Indians but they showed why they are the most consistent team in this format with a convincing 10 wicket victory against kings XI Punjab. Both the openers Mike Hussey and Murli Vijay scored fifties. But that leaves their batting untested. Considering the experience of CSK one expects them to rise when the situation demands.

Dwayne Bravo was the pick of the bowlers against Punjab hauling 3 wickets. The new south African Chris Morris was impressive too, taking 2 wickets. With his ability to hit the ball hard and long morris gives Dhoni an option with bat lower down the order. Ravinder jadeja and R ashwin was effective too. It will be a battle of equals and whoever holds the nerve will come out on top.