Chennai vs. Rajasthan, IPL 2014: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

For one team this match could well be the match that confirms their place in the play-off stage of the 2014 IPL. Both Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals are secure at the top of the table, and a win for either of them should be enough to confirm their elevation to the second stage of the season. 

Venue: JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi

Date: Tuesday, May 13

Time: 11:30 a.m. BST

Live on: Sony Six, Star Sports HD, Star Sports 1 (India), ITV4 (United Kingdom), SuperSport (South Africa), OSN (UAE), SkyTV (New Zealand), Network Ten (Australia), Channel 9 (Bangladesh), Sportsnet and Omni (Canada), Sports Max (West Indies), Geo Super (Pakistan) and Starhub (Singapore). 

Weather: It's going to be a hazy, hot day in Ranchi according to AccuWeather.

Overview

These are perhaps the two most characteristic IPL sides in that throughout the seven years of the IPL they have maintained similar styles, methods and approaches. 

The Chennai Super Kings are the most formidable team in the league. They are packed from top to bottom with strength and always seem to succeed. The Rajasthan Royals, contrastingly, are often more than the sum of their parts through careful calculation, strategy and approach.

Yet despite the contrasts, both teams sit near the top of the table, and a defeat for either team should not be enough to prevent their progress to the play-offs. Certainly don't expect this to be the last time these two sides meet this season. 

Rajasthan are coming fresh off the back of a jaw-dropping heist against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, where Steven Smith and James Faulkner's extraordinary hitting surged the Royals over the line in a thrilling match. 

Chennai too won their last match, and they have in fact only lost two all season—both to Kings XI Punjab.

Key Players

Rajasthan Royals: Shane Watson 

Playing against the league's most feared team the Rajasthan Royals captain needs to bring his great quality to the fore. Watson's IPL has slowly gathered momentum, but he is still short of runs with the bat.

Chennai Super Kings: Suresh Raina

While Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum have been in superb form at the top of the order. Suresh Raina at No. 3 is the Super Kings' anchor.