Today’s IPL Match: RCB vs CSK Prediction, Head-to-Head, Bengaluru Pitch Report and Who Will Win?

With three playoffs places already decided in the Indian Premier League 2024, the race for the final spot has heated up in the competition. RCB and CSK are the last two contenders vying for the final playoffs spot and the two teams face each other in a virtual knockout at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 18. The match also has an added layer of drama, as this could turn out to be the legendary MS Dhoni's final match in the tournament, if CSK lose and get knocked out of the tournament.

RCB could not be better placed in this encounter even if they wanted to. The Faf du Plessis side has rode on form of players like Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj and Cameron Green and managed to win 5 games in a row. The tremendous overhaul has been possible due to RCB's new 'intent-filled' batting approach, and the choice of playing with 2 Indian spinners in their line-up - Swapnil Singh and Karn Sharma.

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RCB lost 7 out of their first 8 games, and whatever the result be on Saturday, they should be proud of what they have achieved in this tournament. On the other hand, CSK will hope that their reduced-strength squad is good enough to give it a good crack against the hosts as they look to do well in what could be MS Dhoni's final season in the tournament.

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Dhoni-mania on the cards?

There are very few stadiums in India like Chinnaswamy. Bengaluru worships its icons like no other and it is expected that they will give a rousing welcome to Dhoni, Virat Kohli's former mentor in the Indian team. Dhoni was the point of difference in CSK's marquee clash against MI at the Wankhede Stadium earlier this season, hitting Hardik Pandya for a barrage of sixes in the final over. And who knows, he might turn up the heat in Bengaluru as well.

RCB vs CSK: Head-to-Head

RCB are far behind CSK in the competition. With just 10 wins in 31 matches, the cards are stacked against the Bengaluru side. CSK have won the last three matches against RCB, in fact they have won 5 out of the last 6 encounters.

RCB vs CSK: Team News

Both teams have several players missing from their line-up. RCB do not have the services of Will Jacks and Reece Topley, who have flown to England for their national duties. It means that Glenn Maxwell is expected to replace Jacks in the line-up.

CSK on the other hand do not have the services of Matheesha Pathirana and Deepak Chahar, who are injured. Mustafizur Rahman and Moeen Ali have also flown out of the tournament.

RCB vs CSK: Pitch and Weather Report

It has been raining in Bengaluru. Rain is expected on Saturday as well and it could wash out the match. In that case, CSK will qualify for the playoffs. The pitch at the Bengaluru stadium is expected to slightly help the spinners but will be batting friendly in general.

RCB vs CSK: Predicted XI

RCB Predicted XI

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Swapnil Singh, Karn Sharma, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Siraj

Impact Player: Yash Dayal

CSK Predicted XI

Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Mitchell Santner/Richard Gleeson, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekshana

Impact Player: Sameer Rizvi