This should be a dream match, CSK vs RCB, for the hype machine. Two of the three teams have created a ferociously loyal fanbase at the grounds and on the internet. They represent capital cities of neighbouring states that share a river, often acrimoniously, whose rulers traversed boundaries repeatedly before the borders as we know them came to exist; whose people now build their lives in each other’s states. Both states are given to hero-worshipping their film stars and politicians. Now they have accepted MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli for worship even though they are neither from there nor live there.
It might still not matter to the ratings, but as a cricket rivalry, it needs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to catch up. RCB are 11-22 against CSK overall, and 1-8 in Chennai. The last time RCB beat CSK in Chennai was in 2008 (the IPL’s first year). The last time these two sides faced each other, RCB were so ecstatic at winning and making it to the playoffs that they didn’t shake hands with the opposition. Stay tuned to the end to know everything.
What the team management has said about the game and players?
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You see, the lack of cricketing closeness doesn’t really matter to the ratings when it comes to CSK and RCB. You expect CSK to start as an overwhelming favourite in home conditions, which ignores the memo that asks for even higher scoring rates than last year.
CSK have put together Noor Ahmad, Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin; it is no surprise they put together a game where they completed a chase of 156 in the last over. RCB have built themselves up for higher scores, which showed in their emphatic chase of 175 in the tournament opener. But the Chennai conditions are going to be as big a challenge for them in IPL 2025 as any.
New loyalties
Josh Hazlewood’s last team in the IPL before the break last year was RCB, but for some reason, you picture him in yellow when you think of the IPL. Possibly because his reinvention as a limited-overs bowler began at CSK in 2020 and 2021. He has made a great start for RCB this year with figures of 4-0-22-2.
2:56 Cricinformed: Kohli, Patidar, and who? Spin trial awaits RCB at Chepauk.
Team news and Likely XIIs
CSK love their all-rounders, but it won’t take long for question marks to appear over Sam Curran if he doesn’t improve drastically from his start this year where he could bowl just one over and scored 4 off 9. This is in keeping with the dip in his form overall, which has resulted in his exit from the England team. As an overseas player, he keeps out Matheesha Pathirana, although a direct switch means Dhoni has to bat at No. 7, which CSK or Dhoni don’t quite fancy.
Chennai Super Kings (probable): 1 Rachin Ravindra, 2 Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), 3 Rahul Tripathi, 4 Deepak Hooda, 5 Shivam Dube, 6 Sam Curran, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 MS Dhoni (wk), 9 R Ashwin, 10 Nathan Ellis, 11 Noor Ahmad, 12 Khaleel Ahmed
Bhuvneshwar Kumar missed the previous game with a reported niggle. RCB will want him in if he is fit. They could think about legspinning allrounder Mohit Rathee or left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh if the pitch is expected to be heavily spin-friendly.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (probable): 1 Virat Kohli, 2 Phil Salt, 3 Rajat Patidar (capt), 4 Devdutt Padikkal/Mohit Rathee, 5 Liam Livingstone, 6 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 7 Tim David, 8 Krunal Pandya, 9 Rasikh Salam/Bhuvneshwar Kumar/Swapnil Singh, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Yash Dayal, 12 Suyash Sharma
Big question?
How does RCB handle the possible 12 overs of Noor, Ashwin and Jadeja? Mumbai Indians (MI) went 5 for 70 in 11 overs against them. Captain Rajat Patidar will be the key because around him are batters that can be shut down by slow bowlers. Where should Rajat Patidar bat for RCB?
In the spotlight: Noor Ahmad vs Rajat Patidar
This is the contest that could direct the whole match. Noor Ahmad has started off beautifully for CSK with figures of 4-0-18-4 against MI. RCB is a team of pace-hitters. If Rajat Patidar can attack Noor, he can set the cat among the pigeons, which could even result in Jadeja not bowling out. If Patidar gets out early, CSK could choke RCB.
Pitch and conditions:
Chennai is one of the venues that works in synergy with the franchise. So expect the conditions to continue helping the slower bowlers.
Key stats:
Ashwin vs Kohli is a fascinating contest between two alphas of Indian cricket. You can see neither wants to lose: only one dismissal in 147 balls but a strike rate of only 123.12.
Despite being a left-hand batter, Rachin Ravindra averages 11.63 and strikes at 120.75 against orthodox left-arm spin. That makes Krunal Pandya important.
A short Preview: CSK vs RCB
As starts of seasons go, RCB couldn’t have asked for a more varied or challenging pair of away battles than KKR and CSK back-to-back. The defending champions in Kolkata may have even been the easier of the two tests, given the true nature of the Eden Gardens pitch and the make-up of RCB’s line-up, littered with batters happier to hit pace through the line. Historically, even RCB’s best sides have faltered on Chennai’s slower, turning tracks, a struggle evident in their woeful record at the home of their big rivals: just one win in nine games.
Of RCB’s top eight in the IPL 2025 opener, only captain Rajat Patidar boasts a better strike-rate against spin than pace, while Phil Salt and Jitesh Sharma come close to parity. While this makes them seem somewhat vulnerable against a high-quality attack featuring Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad, the tradeoff is understandable. The line-up is built to maximise the seven home games in Bengaluru and the several other standardized, batting-friendly surfaces across the country.
Switch the disciplines around and the scales would appear to tilt further in CSK’s favour and to their hopes of doubling down on their own start-of season schedule. RCB’s spin attack features a left-arm spinner, an inexperienced legspinner, and a part-time offspinner. While Krunal Pandya’s defensive skills and numbers against left-handers are outstanding, he may be left to do a lot of heavy-lifting against a CSK top-seven that features four southpaws.
That said, the hosts didn’t exactly shine with the bat against Mumbai, despite chasing a modest 155. And, early in the season might just be the best time for RCB to visit Chepauk, with the pitches yet to endure the full wrath of the summer sun. RCB have some vulnerabilities to poke at, while riding a rare feeling of optimism in a fixture that has seldom offered them much.
When: Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Match 8, IPL 2025, March 28, 19:30 IST
Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
What to expect: A little more balance between bat and ball. In the opening game here, 25 out of the 40 overs, including 14/20 in the second innings, were bowled by the spinners, who found little, but enough assistance. Teams will still want to chase with seven of the last 10 games played here, including four of the last five, won by teams batting second.
Head to Head: CSK 21 – 11 RCB. CSK also led 3-2 in games in the last cycle and haven’t lost at Chepauk to RCB since the inaugural season in 2008.
Team News:
Chennai Super Kings
Injury & Availability: Matheesha Pathirana wasn’t part of the match day squad against MI. Stephen Fleming said he was “progressing well” (from an unspecified injury) but he remains an unlikely starter for the game.
Tactics & Matchups: Ravichandran Ashwin has a good record against Patidar, the best-spin hitter in RCB’s ranks. The offspinner has dismissed the RCB captain twice in 25 balls bowled at him while conceding at less than a run a ball.
FAQs:
- When is the CSK vs RCB match?
March 28, 7:30 PM IST. - Where is the CSK vs RCB match being played?
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. - Who are the key players to watch in this match?
Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Noor Ahmad, and Rajat Patidar. - What is the head-to-head record between CSK and RCB?
CSK 22 – 11 RCB. - What type of pitch is expected at Chepauk?
A pitch that assists spin bowlers.
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