When Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) lock horns with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), it’s more than just a cricket match — it’s a clash of legacies, emotions, and fan frenzy. Over the years, this iconic rivalry has gifted IPL fans unforgettable moments: Dhoni’s cool finishes, Kohli’s fiery passion, and edge-of-the-seat thrillers that have defined the tournament. As the two titans face off again in IPL 2025, the question looms large — can this legendary showdown still spark the same fireworks, or is a new chapter waiting to be written? With fresh faces, shifting strategies, and everything to play for, today’s match promises to be another blockbuster in the making.
Big picture: RCB aim for the magic 16 points
One of the most important IPL matches is probably the match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Bengaluru. However, this time around, there is a noticeable lack of energy, and CSK’s season is mostly to blame.
CSK was the first team eliminated from the IPL 2025 after losing eight of their ten games. Even their pre-match training session against RCB wasn’t as rigorous as it could have been. With R Ashwin, Anshul Kamboj, and Noor Ahmad bowling in one set of nets and Vijay Shankar in the other, Shaikh Rasheed and Ayush Mhatre began the session.
At the other end of the RCB camp, things were very different. With a victory at home, RCB, who are now on 14 points, will move up to 16 and increase their chances of finishing in the top two and the playoffs. With Romario Shepherd hitting in a third net, Dinesh Karthik kept a close eye on them as they began their training session with Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal sharing one net and Jitesh Sharma in another. Additionally, RCB had a wrist spinner who bowled at Padikkal and Kohli and looked a lot like Noor.
Form guide: RCB on a high
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: WWWLW
Chennai Super Kings: LLLWL
In the spotlight: Krunal Pandya and Khaleel Ahmed
Krunal Pandya has quietly slipped under the radar as Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been in the spotlight. This season, he has taken 13 wickets, the most he has ever taken in a season. More significantly, though, all of his wickets have come in RCB victories. Krunal has taken 13 wickets in 26 overs at an economy of 8.2 in the seven games that RCB has won, but in the three games that RCB has lost, he has taken no wickets in six overs, and his economy has skyrocketed to 10.5. With an economy rate of 8.18, Krunal has been the preferred spinner for RCB in the middle overs and has taken the second-most wickets of any spinner this season, behind Noor.
Although CSK’s bowling this season hasn’t been particularly noteworthy, Khaleel Ahmed has been dependable, particularly in the beginning. Khaleel has taken nine powerplay wickets this season, more than any other bowler, and he has also delivered the most dot balls of any bowler with 106. With four games remaining, Khaleel is already having his third-best season in terms of dot balls. When these two sides faced off earlier this season, Khaleel, who has the second-most wickets for CSK after Noor, engaged in an intriguing duel with Phil Salt and Kohli. He will want to carry on with his recent success.
Team news and probable XIs
Salt was unwell and missed RCB’s last game; his availability is still unknown. Jacob Bethell might be able to keep his spot at the head of the order if he is left out. It is unlikely that RCB will alter their side in any other way. Suyash Sharma could be replaced by Padikkal as the Impact Player, and vice versa.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 1 Virat Kohli, 2 Jacob Bethell, 3 Devdutt Padikkal, 4 Rajat Patidar (capt), 5 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6 Romario Shepherd, 7 Tim David, 8 Krunal Pandya, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Yash Dayal, 12 Suyash Sharma
Chennai Super Kings: 1 Shaik Rasheed, 2 Ayush Mhatre, 3 Sam Curran, 4 Ravindra Jadeja, 5 Dewald Brevis, 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Deepak Hooda/Vijay Shankar/Vansh Bedi, 8 MS Dhoni (capt, wk), 9 Anshul Kamboj, 10 Noor Ahmad, 11 Khaleel Ahmed, 12 Matheesha Pathirana
Pitch and conditions
Rain is predicted for Saturday as well, and the game in Bengaluru was already cut short due to the rain. Early to late evening thunderstorms are forecast, and temperatures are estimated to be in the 30-degree range. There might have been something for the bowlers all along, given the pitch has been covered for over three days.
Inside the Numbers: Unpacking CSK’s Batting Struggles
- In this IPL, CSK has lost the most wickets (31) against spin bowling and has the lowest strike rate (121) against it. They also have the lowest power-play run rate of any team this season (7.91).
- Tim David averages just four runs against Noor and has fallen to Noor twice in three T20 innings.
- Kohli averages 109.5 against spin and has only lost to it twice in eight IPL innings.
- In the IPL 2025, Noor has taken the most wickets in the middle overs (7–16) with 13.
- Dhoni has the most runs versus RCB in the IPL (894), and he averages 40.6.
Quotes
“The team has a lot of motivation. Some players have the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to play at this level and obtain a chance. They are a pretty proud group, too. We take great pride in playing for CSK. large fan base, thus you want to perform well to win over the supporters as well. The players, in my opinion, are well aware of their responsibilities and give every game their best.
Even though CSK is not participating in the event, Mike Hussey doesn’t think they need any additional encouragement.
“When you start playing IPL cricket, you must first and foremost change your perspective. You must realise that the game has changed significantly and that you must adapt to the times. Yes, the shots I want to play were the result of a lot of work.
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