IPL 2024: Predicting 3 players who could pick up the most wickets in today's RCB vs CSK match

It's not technically a knockout, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) hosting Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday is the biggest decider yet in IPL 2024. RCB need to win by 18 runs/in 18.1 overs to finish in the top four. Any other result and Ruturaj Gaikwad's defending champions would reach yet another playoff.

Given the history of close games between the two teams, this match has all the ingredients for a thriller. And the teams are evenly matched too, thanks to the reignited form in RCB's middle order and CSK's injury concerns as well as some uncharacteristically poor decisions throughout the season.

Both teams are also relying heavily on their Indian bowling core to support overseas-heavy batting line-ups.

Below, we have predicted three bowlers who can ace that challenge along with the troubles of bowling at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to pick the most wickets in the high-octane clash:

#3 Yash Dayal

Because the match is likely to be affected by rain and because Chinnaswamy has offered more swing than turn in IPL 2024, we have selected just pacers in this list.

And Yash Dayal warrants a place due to the skill he has displayed at the venue, like his IPL-best spell of 3/20 against Delhi Capitals in the last match here. In seven matches here, he has nine wickets at a brilliant average of 24.89.

His swing and left-arm angle would be a potent weapon against CSK's openers Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra as they have been troubled by those skills throughout this IPL.

If he doesn't bring a wave of wickets at the top, it'd be hard to put taking a few at the death past him because of CSK's recent struggles there.

#2 Simarjeet Singh

Right-arm quick Simarjeet Singh has been a massive revelation for CSK in IPL 2024. He has five wickets in three matches and is coming off a match-winning 3/26 against Rajasthan Royals where he took out their top three of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, and Sanju Samson in the first few overs.

Although Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis would be tougher opponents because of their form ability against pace, Simarjeet's height and hit-the-deck skills could prove really handy at the Chinnaswamy.

CSK might deploy him more in the middle overs to tackle Glenn Maxwell (who's likely to replace Will Jacks) and Rajat Patidar where his pace and ability to cramp the batters could prove quite useful.

#1 Mohammed Siraj

With a bowler like Mohammed Siraj, you can ignore match-ups and conditions to purely back him on form. He's one of those rhythm bowlers who, when in touch, can go putting one match-winning show after the other for weeks.

With seven wickets in the last four IPL 2024 games, he looks in that mood. The ball is coming nicely off his hand, he's moving it well, and landing it consistently.

CSK have many a batter susceptible to swing and pace and Siraj would be the biggest threat against them, especially because it's at a ground where he rarely goes wicketless and has 25 scalps in 20 matches at an average of 26.52.