RCB vs CSK, IPL 2024: Toss result and playing XIs for today’s match, umpires list and pitch report

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are taking on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a must-win IPL 2024 clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 18. The fate of the RCB vs CSK contest will decide who joins Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the playoffs.

After a dismal first half, Bengaluru have come screaming back into contention with five consecutive wins. They now need to beat Chennai and surpass their net run rate to clinch the final playoffs spot. RCB could do that if they beat CSK by 18 runs, assuming they score 200 batting first. In a chase, they need to get home with at least 11 balls to spare.

For Chennai Super Kings, the equation is a straightforward one. If they win, they will qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs. In fact, even a washout would be enough for them to clinch a top four berth as they would move to 15 points. If they lose, Chennai need to ensure that Bengaluru do not surpass them on net run rate.

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Today's RCB vs CSK toss result

CSK have won the toss and have opted to bowl first. Ruturaj Gaikwad said:

“I think the wicket looks good and with the overcast conditions, we have to make use of it. The wicket will be damp in the first half, I think but you never know.”

For Chennai, Mitchell Santner comes in for Moeen Ali. For Bengaluru, Glenn Maxwell comes in for Will Jacks who has returned to England.

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RCB vs CSK - Today's match playing XIs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (w), Karn Sharma, Yash Dayal, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Siraj

Bengaluru subs: Swapnil Singh, Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Himanshu Sharma

Chennai Super Kings: Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Daryl Mitchell, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (w), Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekshana

Chennai subs: Shivam Dube, Sameer Rizvi, Prashant Solanki, Shaik Rasheed, Mukesh Choudhary

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Today's RCB vs CSK pitch report

Deep Dasgupta says that there's not a lot of grass on the surface. There are a few cracks and it looks mosaic, but the pitch is as hard as a rock, he reckons. He also doesn’t feel that there's extra moisture in the pitch, like in the last game. There will be quite a few runs scored, Dasgupta concludes.

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Today's RCB vs CSK match players list

Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal, Swapnil Singh, Himanshu Sharma, Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Tom Curran, Alzarri Joseph, Akash Deep, Saurav Chauhan, Rajan Kumar, Mayank Dagar, Manoj Bhandage

Chennai Super Kings squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekshana, Ajay Mandal, Ajinkya Rahane, Sameer Rizvi, Prashant Solanki, Richard Gleeson, RS Hangargekar, Aravelly Avanish, Shaik Rasheed, Nishant Sindhu, M Choudhary, Mitchell Santner

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RCB vs CSK - Today's match umpires

On-field umpires: KN Ananthapadmanabhan, Akshay Totre

TV umpire: Michael Gough

Match Referee: Daniel Manohar