It’s going to be an interesting contest tonight between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Ranchi. On one hand, we have MS Dhoni, who is leading India’s ODI side; while on the other hand, we have flamboyant Virat Kohli who is the skipper of India’s test cricket team. As the two leading cricketers take on each other for their respective franchises, the IPL Qualifier 2 is expected to be a thrilling one.

Preview: IPL 2015 Qualifier 2: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings

The Royal Challengers Bangalore have recently thrashed Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the eliminator match to reach qualifier 2. The top three batsmen are the heart of the RCB’s batting order. They can be explosive at any point in time. Ab de Villiers has amassed more than 500 runs in the tournament. It justifies his spectacular performance with the bat.

Similarly, Gayle and Kohli are also not far behind. They can give a flying start in today’s match to keep the pressure mounting over CSK’s head. The duo has scored more than 400 runs individually in IPL 8 so far. Mandeep Singh has played a few good knocks too. However, Dinesh Karthik and other lower order batsmen of the team have thoroughly disappointed the fans. These batsmen will have to be ready to click in case of need.

CSK’s strength is its bowling. Nevertheless, the team has some of the world’s brilliant batsmen, who can hit any good bowlers out of the ground at ease. Dwayne Bravo, the Caribbean all-rounder has impressed everyone with his exemplary bowling spells at the death. He is Dhoni’s trusted confidante and enjoys the faith that captain has instilled upon him for the last many IPL seasons. Ashish Nehra is the surprise package of this year’s IPL. The veteran bowler is one of the most successful wicket takers in the tournament, although he stayed away from international cricket for the last many months.

Apart from CSK’s immaculate bowling, their fielding is brilliant too. On an average, the team saved around 20-30 runs with their astute fielding near the boundary rope. In the context of today’s match, CSK would be more determined to win and they know how to repeat history again and again. RCB need to stay away from excess overconfidence as it could shatter their dream in no time. The venue happens to be Dhoni’s home ground too. Hence, CSK skipper will garner a lot of crowd support here.

The Team for Today’s Match

CSK: MS Dhoni (Captain & Wicket Keeper), Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Dwayne Smith, Faf du Plessis, Michael Hussey, Dwayne Bravo, Ishwar Pandey, Mohit Sharma & Ashish Nehra.

RCB: Virat Kohli (Captain), Dinesh Karthik (Wicket Keeper), Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Mandeep Singh, David Wiese, Sarfaraz Khan, Mitchell Starc, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel & Sreenath Aravind.

Tags: Chennai Super Kings, CSK, India Premier League, IPL, IPL 2015, IPL 8, Match Preview, MS Dhoni, Pepsi IPL, RCB, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Virat Kohli