The biggest IPL rivalry is back! On March 28, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will host Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Chepauk Stadium. CSK’s home ground has been a nightmare for RCB since 2008 – they’ve lost almost every game here! Can Virat Kohli’s RCB break the curse, or will MS Dhoni’s CSK continue their dominance? Let’s break it down!
Head-to-Head: CSK’s Commanding Dominance
- Overall: CSK lead 22-11 in 33 IPL clashes.
- At Chepauk: CSK won 8 of 9 matches vs RCB.
- Last Meeting: CSK won by 6 wickets in IPL 2024.
RCB’s lone Chepauk victory dates back to 2008. To break the curse, they’ll need Kohli’s red-hot form (2 fifties in 3 games) and Maxwell’s spin mastery against Jadeja and Ashwin.Both teams enter this high-voltage clash with winning momentum — CSK and RCB triumphed in their opening matches! Check the latest IPL 2025 points table here to see where they stand.
Pathirana’s Absence: CSK’s Bowling Blow
CSK’s death-overs specialist Matheesha Pathirana is ruled out (injury), confirmed by coach Stephen Fleming. Nathan Ellis, who replaced him against MI, could retain his spot. Spin trio Ashwin, Jadeja, and Noor Ahmad (8/70 in 11 overs vs MI) remain pivotal.
Key Players to Watch
- CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Noor Ahmad.
- RCB: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Josh Hazlewood.
Chepauk Pitch Report
A slow, turning track favoring spinners. First-innings average: 160. Dew may ease conditions later, making the toss crucial.
Predicted XIs
- CSK: Gaikwad (c), Ravindra, Hooda, Dube, Jadeja, Curran, Dhoni (wk), Ashwin, Ellis, Khaleel, Noor Ahmad.
- RCB: Kohli, Salt, Patidar (c), Livingstone, Sharma (wk), David, Krunal, Hazlewood, Suyash, Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar (if fit).
Tactical Insights
- RCB’s Spin Challenge: Must counter Ashwin-Jadeja dominance. Left-arm spinner Jacob Bethell could replace an overseas batter.
- CSK’s Batting Depth: Rachin Ravindra’s explosiveness and Dhoni’s finishing skills add firepower
Prediction
CSK’s home dominance and spin arsenal give them the edge, but RCB’s revamped lineup promises a thriller. Our pick: CSK by 20-25 runs if they bat first.
Will RCB finally conquer Chepauk, or will CSK tighten their grip? Share your thoughts!