Event of the Day: Chennai Super Kings versus Royal Challengers Bangalore
Our event of the day is the start of the Indian Premier League and the first match between the Chennai Super Kings and the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. There may be no better way to begin another exciting season of Indian cricket than a match between these two talented teams. Be sure you don’t miss this match. The Indian Premier League is back, and the Chennai Super Kings will look to begin their title defence with a strong win over a team they have a 14-7 record against. The Super Kings have a roster worthy of a champion. Dwayne Bravo is a deadly West Indies bowler who has been with the Super Kings since 2011. He is one of their best current bowlers, boasting an average of 20.78. He is a two-time Purple Cap winner and will once again look to take home a title with the team. Their captain is the Indian legend MS Dhoni. Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the all-time greats of the game and has led the Super Kings through their first seven seasons and returned to the team in 2018, leading them to their third title. The Super Kings also have Faf du Plessis, the highly-regarded South African captain. Du Plessis is a devastating batsmen who is tough to contain. Together, along with the other members of the Super Kings, these three international stars help make them one of the league’s best teams.
Their opponents today have made three league finals but have never been able to take a title. The Royal Challengers have their own star power, certainly. They are led by Indian national captain, Virat Kohli. Kohli is clearly the best cricketer in the world currently and an absolute pleasure to watch play. He has been with the Royal Challengers since the very beginning and was the only player retained by the team ahead of the 2011 season. He has captained the side since 2013 and set a league record for runs scored in 2016, when he won the Orange Cap, and MVP, with 973 runs. Backing up Kohli is AB de Villiers. Regarded as one of the best batsmen of all time, de Villiers is a key piece in the Royal Challengers line-up. The Royal Challengers have the pieces to take a title, they just need to finally win the big game. With the talent on these two teams, there is no better way to start the 2019 Indian Premier League.
Honourable mentions around the globe to Premiership Rugby, where Saracens host Harlequins at the Olympic Stadium in London. Even though ten points separate these second and third place teams, a thrilling match can be still be expected. Saracens will want to put as much pressure on first place Exeter as they can while Harlequins will want to pull away from fourth place Gloucester. Expect an exciting match between these high-flying rivals. Euro 2020 qualifiers continue across Europe. The second round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament begins at venues around the US. In the MLS, the Philadelphia Union host Columbus Crew at the Talen Energy Stadium. On the PGA Tour, the Valspar Championship continues on the Copperhead Course at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbour. In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Minnesota Wild at the PNC Arena in Raleigh.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by ICC Cricket