IPL 2021, RCB vs CSK: MS Dhoni wins delayed toss, opts to field

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni has opted to field after winning the toss in Match 35 of the ongoing 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Dhoni has gone in with an unchanged lineup for a vital clash against Virat Kohli-led RCB. The Bangalore-based franchise have made two changes. While Navdeep Saini has replaced Sachin Baby, Tim David has been included in place of Kyle Jamieson. The toss was delayed due to a sandstorm which is no surprise with Sharjah being the venue.

“We’ll bowl first. There are a few wet patches, but it has dried out slightly. It’s a small ground and there was dew the last time we played. Same team. It was an incredible team effort. To reach around 160, it was a special performance by the bat. The bowlers needed get into action and we kept getting wickets. It was a complete team effort. We were completely out of the game in the first eight overs, we played really well to get back in. He (Gaikwad) has been incredible, he plays authentic cricket shots. He’s not very flashy but can play the aerial shots. I just hope he keeps doing the same,” said Dhoni as quoted by Cricbuzz.

“The wicket looks nice and hard”

Kohli admitted that he would have opted to field as well on winning the toss.

“The wicket looks nice and hard. Don’t think it’ll change a lot. We would have probably bowled first as well. A few more extra runs on the board would be nice. It’s a wake-up call that you have to get going, you still have to come out here and gain momentum again. We have brought in Navdeep Saini for Sachin Baby. We needed more pace in the middle overs. Kyle Jamieson misses out and Tim David replaces him. He makes his debut for RCB, he’s a power player in the lower middle-order, plays spin well and he’s a strong lad. He can hit those big ones,” he stated.

“Probably need to make more runs”

One of the key players in the RCB setup is all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who failed to make much of an impact in the recent defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

“Probably need to make more runs, need to string together a few partnerships and take it from there, hopefully the last game was just a blip. I like to hit a few balls in the nets, have a run-out, catch a few balls and get used to the surroundings, keep myself as comfortable as I can. Not a lot has changed over the years, I have reached that stage where I can make my notes ahead of the game. Just adjust to the situation, read the situation, take a few balls and then play the way I know. That has been my usual routine over the years,” said Maxwell.

Lineups:

Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Virat Kohli(c), Devdutt Padikkal, Srikar Bharat(w), Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Tim David, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood.