IPL 2024, CSK vs RCB Strategic Corner - How can CSK Stop Faf du Plessis?

Faf du Plessis in practice ahead of the IPL 2024 Tournament Opener [X]Faf du Plessis in practice ahead of the IPL 2024 Tournament Opener [X]

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) is set to ignite on March 22nd with a game that sets the tone for the entire tournament. The opening clash will witness a battle of the Titans as the defending champions, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), lock horns with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). 

The MS Dhoni-led side will be eager to commence their campaign with a victory and assert their dominance as the defending champions. However, standing in their way is not just a formidable opponent but also a former teammate and current RCB skipper, Faf du Plessis, adding an extra layer of intensity to the game. 


Why is Faf du Plessis a threat to CSK? 

  • Faf was part of the CSK setup from 2012-2021. He knows the team well and how they react to pressure, which will give Faf an advantage not only as a batter but also as a captain. 
  • Faf has an excellent record at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the home ground of CSK. He has scored 553 runs at the venue from 17 innings at an average of 42.5. These numbers are not just statistics but a testament to Faf's comfort and success at Chepauk. Also, the fact that he is a good player for a spin makes him the most significant threat for CSK. 
  • Faf particularly enjoyed batting against the CSK bowling attack last season. Du Plessis scored 62 runs off 33 balls in the single face-off between the two teams. He will look to pick up from where he left against CSK in the last edition and play an impactful knock in the season opener. 


How can CSK stop Faf du Plessis in IPL 2024 first match?

Examining the dismissals of Faf du Plessis in IPL 2023, a notable pattern emerges- he was dismissed five times by spinners. Of these instances, four were at the hands of wrist spinners, a statistic that could hold strategic implications for CSK's bowling approach.

Bowler Type
Dismissals
Wrist Spin4
Finger Spin1
Medium Pace6
Fast Medium1

Table - Faf du Plessis' dismissals in IPL 2023 by Bowler Type


Given this data, it becomes clear that Prashant Solanki, the sole wrist spinner on the CSK side, could be a game-changer. The IPL 2023 stats reveal that Faf and the entire RCB batting line-up have struggled to score against wrist spinners, making Solanki's inclusion in the playing XI a potentially strategic move. 

However, considering MS Dhoni's known preference for his' tested soldiers', it's likely that he would rely on the familiar strengths of Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar. In IPL 2023, the medium pacers accounted for five of Faf's dismissals, further solidifying their status as prime options for CSK's bowling strategy. 

Faf du Plessis's dismissal areas in IPL 2023 [ OneCricket]Faf du Plessis's dismissal areas in IPL 2023 [ OneCricket]

Faf enjoys room outside the off stump, but that has often been the reason for his dismissal. If Shardul and Chahar can restrict his scoring by bowling wicket to wicket and mixing it up with a couple of deliveries outside the off stump, it could lead to the RCB skipper's fall.