IPL 2025: CSK vs RCB Match Preview- Match 8

The five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will meet the three-time runners-up Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the eighth encounter of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The CSK vs. RCB clash will happen on March 28, 2025, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Both teams opened their accounts in their respective opening games of the competition, thanks to a balanced bowling department. Their batting might be a winning factor in the vital southern derby.

Chennai was excellent with the ball, especially in the powerplay and the middle overs as they kept on taking wickets regularly to sustain the pressure on the opposition, Mumbai Indians. Noor Ahmed was the peak of the bowlers with fantastic figures of 4/18 in four overs, while Khaleel Ahmed blew away the opposition with brilliant new ball figures of 3/29 in his full quota.

Also Read: IPL 2025: GT vs PBKS Match Preview- Match 5

Chasing 156, the 2023 champions struggled at the start, losing opener Rahul Tripathi, but captain Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed a fine 53-run knock in just 26 balls, while Rachin Ravindra remained unbeaten on 65 runs in just 45 deliveries at a strike rate of 144.4, shouldering two fours and four over boundaries.

CSK’s middle order didn’t contribute with the bat, and they aim to develop in this department during the CSK vs RCB fixture.

For Bengaluru, the bowling performance against the Kolkata Knight Riders could be divided into three segments. They were excellent in the first three overs before losing the grip in the last three overs of the powerplay. However, Kolkata’s collapse in the middle order restricted the Knight Riders to just 174/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Phil Salt and Virat Kohli’s opening stand of 95 runs in just 8.3 overs laid the winning platform before Rajat Patidar’s 34 runs in 16 balls was enough for the 2016 runners-up to chase the score down in 16.2 overs. They hope to continue the winning journey in the CSK vs RCB clash.

IPL 2025: CSK vs RCB Preview Match 8

For Chennai, the goal will be to bring a settled middle order for the second CSK vs RCB fixture of the IPL 2025. Because MS Dhoni playing at 8, they went with three left-handers, Shivam Dube, Sam Curran, and Ravindra Jadeja in the side.

Deepak Hooda was the only right-handed in the middle order. That puts more pressure on the all-rounder to spend more time in the crease, or the management could think of promoting Dhoni at number six.

In the case of Bengaluru, they will look to do well in the powerplay overs in the CSK vs RCB encounter.. Apart from Josh Hazlewood, neither Yash Dayal nor Rasikh Salam didn’t perform well in the first six overs. Krunal Pandya was excellent, while Suyash Sharma got the momentum towards the end of the game.

CSK vs RCB Playing XIs

Chennai Super Kings

Rahul Tripathi, Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk.), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmed, Nathan Ellis.

Impact Sub: Khaleel Ahmed.

Also Read: IPL 2025: GT Playing XI vs PBKS- Match 5

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Paddikal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk.), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Salam, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood.

Impact Subs: Yash Dayal.

CSK vs RCB Key Battles

• Virat Kohli has managed only 157 T20 runs against Ravindra Jadeja at a strike rate of 108.3, besides getting dismissed thrice.
• Kohli has enjoyed Khaleel Ahmed with 34 T20 runs in just 20 balls, besides getting dismissed only once at a strike rate of 170.
• Ruturaj Gaikwad has smashed Yash Dayal for 52 T20 runs in 32 balls at a strike rate of 162.50, besides getting dismissed twice.