IPL 2015: RCB vs CSK - Key Clashes

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will lock horns with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in match no. 20 of the Pepsi Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 on Wednesday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. 

RCB is reeling at the bottom of the points table, having won only one out of the three games they have played so far. Their bowling has been a point of concern and their weakness was exposed, especially during the Mumbai Indians game. Adam Milne is also ruled out of the IPL due to an injury. The good news is Mitchell Starc is back into the squad and he would definitiely boost their morale and attack.

On the other hand, CSK suffered their first loss of the IPL 2015 against the Rajasthan Royals. MS Dhoni-led CSK would not want to lose another game and would look to maintain their domination at the upper half of the points table.

Here are some of the key battles that one can expect from this match:

Chris Gayle vs Ashish Nehra: Gayle needs to come in handy with the bat at the top of the order. If he fires, then everything turns into gold for the RCB. Meanwhile, Nehra has been CSK's best bowler so far in this tournament. He has already won two man of the match awards for his performance with the ball. He will be a diffcult customer to score off. 

Ab de Villiers vs Ravichandran Ashwin: Innovative and impactful are probably the two words that will be apt for the classy de Villiers. He has played well in all three games but has failed to take his side over the line. He is one of the most difficult batsmen to bowl to. Ashwin has to be really clever when he bowls to de Villiers. His variations and stop balls will also help him stop this dangerous batsman. 

Brendon McCullum vs Mitchell Starc: McCullum has been brilliant at the top of the order for CSK and he is enjoying opening the batting with Dwayne Smith. Starc is likely to make a comeback in this match and he was the one who dismissed McCullum in the first over of the final of the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2015. Starc can be equally dangerous with the new ball upfront.

Dwayne Smith vs David Wiese: Smith is one of the highest run getters for CSK and he possess the ability to tear apart any bowling attack in the world. Meanwhile, Wiese had an impressive IPL debut for RCB against the MI and picked four wickets. This South African all-rounder can come in handy with the ball as he would look to use his height and generate some good pace and movement off the deck.

Both the sides lost their previous matches and in this South Indian encounter, both the teams would want to get back to winning ways. A thrilling clash on the cards.