The IPL 2025 season is underway and shining the spotlight on the epic battle of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) versus Royal Challenge Bengaluru (RCB) at the historic M.A. Chidambaram Stadium Chepauk on March 28, Friday. RCB is looking to end its 17-year drought at this challenging venue, where it has only tasted success once since 2008. Virat Kohli, the lone warrior from that distant victory, still anchors their hopes.
CSK, masters of their home turf with its spin-friendly pitch, roll out a lethal bowling attack featuring wily spinners like Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and young gun Noor Ahmad. Fresh off a solid win against Mumbai Indians in their opener last week, they’re in top form. RCB, meanwhile, plans to fight back with a batting lineup packed with stars like Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, and Jitesh Sharma, firepower they showcased in their first match against Kolkata Knight Riders.
That Crazy RCB-CSK Clash We Can’t Forget
The last time these rivals met, just before the IPL 2024 playoffs, it was a nail-biter. Yash Dayal was the hero for RCB in the clutch, defending 16 runs in the last over. The first ball of the previous over was hit for an enormous six by MS Dhoni, swinging the match towards CSK and increasing Dayal’s pressure before the defending champions could feel a scent of victory through the crowd.
But Dayal flipped the script. With nerves of steel, he fired a slower ball to send Dhoni packing on the next delivery. A dot ball followed, then Shardul Thakur scratched a single, leaving Ravindra Jadeja with 10 runs to get off the last two balls. Jadeja had pulled off miracles before, like his six-and-four finish to clinch CSK’s fifth title, but Dayal stayed ice-cold, bowling two dots to snatch the playoff spot for RCB and stun the champs.
RCB had set the tone earlier, piling on 218/5. Kohli laid the groundwork with a brisk 47 off 29, while captain Faf du Plessis chipped in with 54 off 39. Rajat Patidar, now leading the side, spiced up with 41 off 23, and Cameron Green’s late 38 off 17 turbocharged the total.
CSK’s chase started with a jolt captain Ruturaj Gaikwad bagged a duck off Glenn Maxwell’s first over. Despite Rachin Ravindra’s gutsy 61 off 37 and Ajinkya Rahane’s 33, the middle order crumbled under RCB’s relentless bowling, leaving their title defence in tatters.