Our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI: Rajasthan Royals (RR) will be eager to bounce back in the IPL as they face five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their second home match of the season at the ACA Stadium in Barsapara on Sunday night. The match will kick off at 7:30 PM.
Both teams come into the game on the back of losses in their previous outings. RR has lost both their opening matches of the season, while CSK will be looking to recover from a heavy defeat to RCB yesterday.
This will be the 30th encounter between the two sides in IPL history. Of the previous 29 matchups, CSK has won 16 times, while RR has emerged victorious on 13 occasions.
A large crowd is expected for tomorrow’s game, and there are a few reasons for the high anticipation. Local boy Riyan Parag is captaining Rajasthan Royals, and on the other hand, there is a massive fan base for MS Dhoni in Guwahati, with many eager to see the legendary cricketer in action at the ACA Stadium. Dhoni’s jerseys have been in high demand in the city on Saturday.
The weather forecast also gave good news as it predicts a pleasant evening with no rain, and the temperature is expected to be around 28°C.
On to the match itself, Rajasthan Royals will be desperate to secure their first win of the season after two straight losses to SRH and KKR. Meanwhile, CSK, despite starting their campaign with a win against MI, were thrashed by RCB in their last game.
Sanju Samson, who wasn’t fully fit at the start of the season, will once again play as a pure batter in tomorrow’s match. He showed good form in RR’s first match against SRH. The spotlight, however, will be on local boy Riyan Parag, the stand-in captain of RR. Parag could be a key factor on his home ground, contributing with both bat and ball. RR will also need improved performances from their bowlers, whose efforts have been below par in the opening matches.
For CSK, one player to watch will be Rachin Ravichandran, who has been in excellent form and is currently the highest run-scorer for the team this season. On the bowling front, Noor Ahmed could prove to be a key asset on the slow pitch at ACA Stadium. The spinner has taken seven wickets in his first two outings.
CSK arrived in Guwahati today for their third match of the season and decided to skip the routine practice session.
Meanwhile Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan will perform before the game on Sunday. IPL 2025, which kicked off in Kolkata on March 22 with a grand opening featuring Bollywood star Disha Patani, will now see Sara take center stage in Guwahati. The entertainment segment will begin at 6:30 PM.
Also Read: Stokes, Brook are contenders for England’s white-ball captaincy: Morgan
Also Watch: