IPL 2025: Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Clash at Chepauk

Chennai, March 28 –

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will square off in the much-anticipated match today at the legendary Chepauk Stadium. CSK, which is renowned for its supremacy at home, hopes to win another IPL title in its 18th season.

CSK’s Spin Power

CSK feels confident going into this game following an outstanding victory over the Mumbai Indians. Their greatest strength is their spin assault, which includes Noor Ahmad (Afghanistan), Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Together, these three spinners bowled 11 overs in the last game, giving up just 70 runs and taking 5 wickets. Noor Ahmad took four wickets and was quite efficient. This spin danger will be difficult for RCB to overcome, therefore the Ashwin vs. Kohli match will be a major feature for supporters.

Will Dhoni Smash Sixes Today?

CSK’s batting lineup includes Rachin Ravindra, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda, and Sam Curran, all of whom need to perform well. In the previous match, MS Dhoni’s fans were left wanting more when he faced just one ball. Today, they hope to see him come in earlier and unleash his signature ‘helicopter shot’ to entertain the crowd.

CSK’s pace attack faces a setback as Matheesha Pathirana is nursing an injury. His inclusion in the playing XI depends on his recovery. Pacers like Nathan Ellis and Khalil Ahmed, who took three wickets in the most recent game, are still good choices, though.

Key Players for RCB
Virat Kohli (59*) and Phil Salt (56), who both had excellent batting efforts, helped RCB defeat the Kolkata Knight Riders to start their campaign. Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, and Rajat Patidar are all in their batting order and can be effective when things count.

Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya, who took three wickets in the previous game, will depend on the spin-friendly conditions at Chepauk, while Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal will spearhead the pace assault. might also bring in Swapnil Singh, Jacob Bethell, or Mohit Rathee, depending on team strategy. If fit, Bhuvneshwar Kumar could return to the squad.

Head-to-Head Record

• Out of 34 matches, CSK has won 22, while RCB has won 11, with one match ending without a result.

• At Chepauk, CSK has a dominant record, winning 8 out of 9 matches. RCB’s only win here was in 2008.

Can RCB End a 17-Year Drought?

RCB last won a match at Chepauk in the inaugural IPL season (2008). Since then, they have struggled at this venue for 16 years. They will be eager to break this streak today.

Pitch & Weather Conditions

• The Chepauk pitch favors spinners, making CSK’s spin trio a major threat.

• Chennai will experience hot weather today, with no chances of rain affecting the match.

Flashback to 2008

The last time RCB defeated CSK at Chepauk was on May 20, 2008.

RCB scored 126/8 in 20 overs during that game, with Virat Kohli batting 10 and captain Rahul Dravid hitting 17. Despite a solid start from Stephen Fleming (45) and Parthiv Patel (24), CSK’s comeback was insufficient at 112/8. Legendary bowlers Dale Steyn (2/25) and Anil Kumble (3/14) destroyed CSK’s batting order, helping RCB win by 14 runs.

Remarkably, only two players from that game are still playing in this year’s match: Virat Kohli (then 19, now 36) and MS Dhoni (then 26, now 43).

Who is going to rule today? Will CSK maintain their stronghold at home, or can RCB eventually triumph at Chepauk? Fans are anticipating this epic battle with great anticipation!