Royal Challengers Bangalore v Chennai Super Kings: IPL 2022 match preview

The Cricketer takes a look at the next fixture in the 2022 Indian Premier League season

What's the match?

Royal Challengers Bangalore take on Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.

When is it taking place?

The match will be played on Tuesday, May 4 with the first ball will be bowled at 7.30pm local time (3pm GMT).

Where is the match being played?

It will be held at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

Who's got the form?

Well, certainly not Royal Challengers Bangalore, who began so well but have dropped off significantly in their last three games - all defeats of different kinds.

They were beaten by table-toppers Gujarat Titans on Saturday, unable to defend 170, and were bowled out for just 115 in a seemingly feasible chase of 145 against Rajasthan Royals. Most humbling was the nine-wicket shellacking by Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Faf du Plessis' men bundled out for just 68 by the left-arm threat of Marco Jansen and T Natarajan.

That run of results has seen RCB slip into midtable, with five wins and five losses from their 10 matches to date. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings appear to be showing signs of recovery after a dismal start to their tournament; whether they've left their run too late, we won't know for a week or two, but either way they might well influence what goes on around them.

MS Dhoni is back at the helm following Ravindra Jadeja's resignation as captain, and CSK promptly smashed 202 for 2 against Sunrisers, winning by 13 runs. They were beaten in their previous encounter by Punjab Kings but won the game beforehand against Mumbai Indians.

^{Josh Hazlewood has been key for RCB}

What's the key match-up?

Virat Kohli arrested his slump with a half century against Gujarat, albeit his 58 came off 53 balls, which left his side short in the end. But the importance of the former skipper returning to form cannot be underestimated, especially with his successor, du Plessis, short on runs himself in his last three outings since smashing 96 against Lucknow Super Giants.

Ruturaj Gaikwad comes into this clash on the back of 99 against Sunrisers, a game that saw him put on 182 for the first wicket alongside Devon Conway, a partnership that might just suggest a side finding form at the right time.

Head-to-head record

Matches played: 29

Royal Challengers Bangalore wins: 9

Chennai Super Kings wins: 19

No result: 1

What's the weather forecast?

A hot day is expected in Pune, with temperatures set to hover around the 39 degrees Celsius mark at the start of play.

What are the squads?

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, Faf du Plessis, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Karthik, Anuj Rawat, Shahbaz Ahamad, Akash Deep, Josh Hazlewood, Mahipal Lomror, Finn Allen, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Behrendorff, Suyash Prabhudessai, Chama Milind, Aneeshwar Gautam, Karn Sharma, Siddharth Kaul, Luvnith Sisodia (injury replacement: Rajat Patidar), David Willey

Chennai Super Kings: Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Moeen Ali, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Robin Uthappa, Dwayne Bravo, Ambati Rayudu, Deepak Chahar, KM Asif, Tushar Deshpande, Shivam Dube, Maheesh Theekshana, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Simarjeet Singh, Devon Conway, Dwaine Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Subhranshu Senapati, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Solanki, C Hari Nishaanth, N Jagadeesan, Chris Jordan, K Bhagath Varma

What are the possible starting XIs?

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mahipal Lomror, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitch Santner, Dwaine Pretorius, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekshana,  Mukesh Choudhary 

^{MS Dhoni is back in charge of CSK (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)}

What are the odds?

Royal Challengers Bangalore are the favourites to win this match, with odds of 10/11. Chennai Super Kings are available at 42/41.

What's the prediction?

RCB have enjoyed a more successful season, but CSK might just have the momentum, especially with Dhoni back in charge. Chennai win.

Where can I watch the game?

In the UK, Sky Sports have exclusive rights to this year's tournament, with matches available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket.

Fans in India can watch all of the action on Star Sports.

Elsewhere in the world, viewers in Australia can watch the IPL on Fox Sports while in New Zealand, Sky Sport will provide coverage.

Willow TV and Flow Sports will broadcast the tournament in the United States and the Caribbean, respectively.

Fans in MENA can catch the action on beIN Sports while in South Africa, SuperSport have the rights.

The IPL can also be streamed on Disney+ and Hotstar in certain areas.