RCB vs CSK: Want to see how Ruturaj handles pressure in crunch game, says Rayudu
IPL 2024: Former India batter Ambati Rayudu picked RCB as favourites, heading into their last league game against CSK. The former Super Kings star said he wanted to see CSK compete well in Bengaluru under Ruturaj Gaikwad's captaincy.
In Short
- RCB vs CSK in Bengaluru might turn out to be a virtual knockout
- RCB will look to sneak into playoffs when they host CSK on Saturday
- RCB will head into the match on the back of 5-match winning streak
Former India and Super Kings batter Ambati Rayudu said he is looking forward to seeing how young captain Ruturaj Gaikwad would handle pressure in CSK's crunch IPL 2024 game against RCB in Bengaluru on Saturday. Even as the playoffs race is going down to the wire, Saturday's clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is likely to be a virtual knockout game. CSK are in 3rd spot in the points table with 14 points in 13 matches, while RCB have 12 points from 13 matches. SunRisers, who have 12 points from 12 matches, are likely to seal the third playoffs spot and leave the fourth spot up for grabs in the last two matchdays in the league.
Notably, Rajasthan became the second team after KKR to qualify for the playoffs after Delhi outclassed LSG by 19 runs in New Delhi on Tuesday. Delhi's win kept them hanging by a thread, but dented LSG's hopes of finishing in the top four for a third successive year. "Everybody in the country is looking forward to May 18. I am no different. I just want to see CSK really compete under a new captain. It's always been under MS Dhoni that they have played these crunch games. It will be interesting to see Ruturaj leading a team into a crunch situation without much support from MS Dhoni, according to Ruturaj himself," Rayudu told Star Sports.
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The former India batter, who was part of CSK's title-winning team last year, picked RCB as the favourites for the much-anticipated game. "It will be interesting and I feel RCB are really, really strong going into that game. It will be, very, very interesting," he said. RCB were reeling at the bottom of the points table with just one win in 8 matches in the first half of IPL 2024. However, they have scripted an incredible comeback, winning five on the trot and putting themselves in a position to fight for the playoffs.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is in peak form with the bat with 583 runs in 13 matches, will be under pressure in the must-win game. While MS Dhoni will be there behind the stumps, a do-or-die battle will be a stern test to the young man, who is looking to live up to the expectations after having taken over captaincy from one of the greatest leaders in the sport.