CSK face RCB in IPL 2025: Match preview and stats
What's the story
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the eighth match of IPL 2025 on March 28, 2025, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Both CSK and RCB come into this contest on the back of stellar wins.
CSK defeated Mumbai Indians at Chepauk while RCB tamed champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the season opener.
The CSK vs RCB match promises to be an exciting clash of two of cricket's most passionate fanbases.
Here's more.
Recap
How did the two sides perform in their respective openers?
As mentioned, CSK downed Mumbai Indians in their season opener. Noor Ahmed led the team with an impressive bowling performance, taking four wickets for just 18 runs.
Khaleel Ahmed took three wickets as well.
With the bat, Rachin Ravindra and Ruturaj Gaikwad impressed largely with respective fifties.
Earlier, the tournament opener saw RCB tame KKR at Eden Gardens.
Chasing 175 runs, RCB openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli thwarted the Knights with majestic knocks on offer.
Match conditions
Pitch and weather conditions
The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is famous for its spin-friendly track, which has been slow and low-scoring in recent years.
Spin will play its part and both teams would be keen to employ their personnel.
As per weather updates, the match is set to played under clear skies with temperatures expected to hover between 26°C to 27°C.
This could influence team strategies as both sides may look to restrict the other to a lower score before chasing.
Numbers
Player focus: Virat Kohli
RCB supremo Virat Kohli has amassed 1,053 runs versus CSK from 32 innings at 37.60. His strike rate is 126.25, as per ESPNcricinfo.
At Chepauk, Kohli owns a total of 383 IPL runs at 29.46 (SR: 111.01). Notably, 304 of these runs have come against CSK at 33.77 from nine matches (SR: 113.01).
Both of his fifties at Chepauk have come against CSK.
Information
H2H record between the two teams
In terms of the head-to-head record, CSK have won 21 of the 33 matches played against RCB (L11, NR1). In Chennai, CSK have bossed the show against RCB, winning 8 of the nine matches (L1).
Battles
A look at the key player battles
RCB pacer Josh Hazlewood would want to back himself against CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Across 2 innings, Hazlewood has dismissed Gaikwad once. The batter owns 9 runs from 14 balls in this duel (SR: 64.28).
Ravichandran Ashwin, who returned to CSK after 10 years, will have his task cut out against Kohli.
Kohli has smashed 179 IPL runs across 22 innings against Ashwin. He has been dismissed once. Kohli's strike rate reads 123.44.
Probable XIs
A look at the predicted playing XIs and Impact Subs
CSK predicted XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra, Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed.
Impact Sub: Khaleel Ahmed.
RCB precicted XI: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar Salam, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.
Impact Sub: Devdutt Padikkal.
Poll
