Rajasthan Royals are gearing up to face defending champions Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk in a crucial match that could determine their playoff fate. The Royals have a strong record against CSK, winning six of their last seven encounters, including the last four. In their previous clash at Chepauk, Ravichandran Ashwin was the standout performer as the visitors secured a narrow three-run victory.

Under the leadership of Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals have performed admirably in IPL 2024, currently occupying the second spot in the points table. Samson himself has been in exceptional form, amassing 471 runs in 11 matches and ranking fifth in the list of highest run-scorers. With just 14 runs needed to surpass his best IPL season tally of 484 runs from IPL 2021, Samson’s average of 67.29 and strike-rate of 163.54 this year are his personal bests in a single edition.

The upcoming match against CSK holds significant importance for the Royals, as a victory led by Samson could secure their spot in the playoffs. In a video shared by the tournament’s official broadcaster, Samson highlighted the intense competitiveness of the IPL and stressed the value of staying focused on the present moment rather than worrying about outcomes. He expressed his belief that any team among the ten participating in the IPL has the potential to emerge victorious, emphasizing the importance of respecting all teams, including their own, and focusing on delivering their best performance.