🏏IPL 2025 - Match 8:CSK vs RCB at MCS Stadium, Chennai,7:30 PM IST🏏

🏏Tata IPL 2025 - Match 8: CSK vs RCB at MCS Stadium, Chennai,7:30 PM IST🏏

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As start of seasons go, RCB couldn't have asked for a more varied or challenging pair of away battles than KKR and CSK back-to-back.

The home team, CSK, is coming off a comfortable yet narrow win in their season opener against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians at the same venue.

Earlier in the game, Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmed bamboozled the Mumbai batters with his spin bowling, finishing with figures of 4/18. He was well-supported by Khaleel Ahmed, who took three wickets in his quota of four overs, as the Men in Yellow restricted the opposition to 155/9 in 20 overs.

The defending champions in Kolkata may have even been the easier of the two tests, given the true nature of the Eden Gardens pitch and the makeup of RCB's line-up, littered with batters happier to hit pace through the line.

Historically, even RCB's best sides have faltered on Chennai's slower, turning tracks, a struggle evident in their woeful record at the home of their big rivals: just one win in nine games.

Of RCB's top-eight in the IPL 2025 opener, only captain Rajat Patidar boasts a better strike-rate against spin than pace, while Phil Salt and Jitesh Sharma come close to parity.

While this makes them seem somewhat vulnerable against a high-quality attack featuring Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad, the tradeoff is understandable.

The line-up is built to maximise the seven home games in Bengaluru and the several other standardised, batting-friendly surfaces across the country.

RCB is also confident coming into this game, as they defeated the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, in the season opener in their backyard. KKR, who batted first, posted 174/8 in their 20 overs, with major contributions from new skipper Ajinkya Rahane (56 off 31), Sunil Narine (44 off 26), and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (30 off 22).

The home team, who once looked set to reach a total over the 200-run mark, was restricted, courtesy of a clinical bowling display by Krunal Pandya and Josh Hazlewood, who picked up three and two wickets, respectively.

In reply, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli formed a deadly opening pair, putting up 95 runs in under nine overs. Salt walked back after a well-made 56, but Kohli remained unbeaten with a 36-ball 59. RCB skipper Rajat Patidar also played a quick cameo to ensure the side started the season with a win.

Switch the disciplines around and the scales would appear to tilt further in CSK's favour and to their hopes of doubling down on their own start-of season schedule.

RCB's spin attack features a left-arm spinner, an inexperienced legspinner and a part-time offspinner. While Krunal Pandya's defensive skills and numbers against left-handers are outstanding, he may be left to do a lot of heavy-lifting against a CSK top-seven that features four southpaws.

That said, the hosts didn't exactly shine with the bat against Mumbai, despite chasing a modest 155. And, early in the season might just be the best time for RCB to visit Chepauk, with the pitches yet to endure the full wrath of the summer sun.

RCB have some vulnerabilities to poke at, while riding a rare feeling of optimism in a fixture that has seldom offered them much.

When: Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Match 8, IPL 2025, March 28, 19:30 IST

Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch Report

The track at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium has generally favoured spinners over pacers and, in recent years, has been very slow, two-paced, and on the lower-scoring side. In the previous game at this venue, the ball gripped and came slowly onto the bat. The average first-innings score in the last edition was around 170, but both teams will look to restrict the other to a lower score and chase it down later. The weather is expected to be clear, with temperatures hovering around 26°C to 27°C.

What to expect: A little more balance between bat and ball. In the opening game here, 25 out of the 40 overs, including 14/20 in the second innings, were bowled by the spinners, who found little, but enough assistance. Teams will still want to chase with seven of the last 10 games played here, including four of the last five, won by teams batting second.

Head to Head: CSK 21 - 11 RCB. CSK also led 3-2 in games in the last cycle and haven't lost at Chepauk to RCB since the inaugural season in 2008.

Team News:

Chennai Super Kings

Injury & Availability: Matheesha Pathirana wasn't part of the match day squad against MI. Stephen Fleming said he was "progressing well" (from an unspecified injury) but he remains an unlikely starter for the game.

Tactics & Matchups: Ravichandran Ashwin has a good record against Patidar, the best-spin hitter in RCB's ranks. The offspinner has dismissed the RCB captain twice in 25 balls bowled at him while conceding at less than a run a ball.

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

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Injury & Availability: Bhuvneshwar Kumar missed the season opener with an unspecified injury. Dinesh Karthik revealed that Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled two days out from the game and that he felt good. Bhuvneshwar also had a short bowling stint on match eve. His inclusion though might be a late call given it's still very early on in the tournament.

Tactics & Matchups:

Shivam Dube has an impressive record against RCB, having hit 234 runs at 158.11. Teams have invariably gone short and quick at him. RCB had mixed returns last year. While Alzarri Joseph didn't find great success with that ploy in Chennai, RCB effectively tied Dube down in the Chinnaswamy classic. Dube managed just three runs off nine deliveries against Lockie Ferguson and Cam Green before falling to a short ball eventually in a strange 15-ball knock for 7.

Probable XII: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma

CSK vs RCB Probable Best Performers

Probable Best Batter: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli. (Photo Source - Twitter/X)

After a brilliant performance in the last game, Virat Kohli could once again emerge as the best batter of the match in the upcoming game. He will aim to play a solid innings and guide RCB to yet another victory of the season against the five-time champions, CSK. Kohli, who has started the season with a bang, will surely look to be on top of the IPL Orange Cap 2025 tally.

Probable Best Bowler: Noor Ahmed

Noor Ahmed. (Photo Source: IPL/X)

Noor Ahmed, who earned the Player of the Match award for his four-wicket spell, will be confident coming into this game. The Afghanistan spinner will look to make the most of the Chepauk surface, which assists spinners. His main aim will be to pick the wicket of Virat Kohli, who has struggled against spinners lately.

Did you know?

- Virat Kohli attempted a sweep once every five balls he faced from spin against KKR.

- Each of RCB's last four wins vs CSK (starting 2019), have come while defending totals.

- CSK had the worst average and scoring rate for openers in IPL 2024. The new pair of Rahul Tripathi and Rachin Ravindra didn't get off to the best starts against MI.

What they said:

"His game against spin has always been very good. I think his development over the 12 months has been excellent. His last game against RCB, ironically, was one of his best innings. Since then, he has contributed a number of runs for New Zealand in a really classy way, I thought his effort the other night was superb in terms of controlling the tempo of the game. He has got power and he has got street smarts. So, it's a nice combination." - Stephen Fleming heaped praise on Rachin Ravindra.

"I believe right now, he is batting as well as he has ever done. And you speak to him even today, just now as I came out... he wanted to work on one more shot. At this point of time, to work on one more shot tells you the hunger that he has in his mindset. He wants to just improve and keep raising the bar. So, he is a special player. And at this point of time, the way I see it, he is batting as confidently and as well as he has ever done in IPL." - Dinesh Karthik on Virat Kohli

Today's Match Prediction: Team bowling first to win the match

Scenario 1

• Chennai Super Kings win the toss and bowl
• PP Score - 45-55
• RCB- 160-170
• Chennai Super Kings win the match

Scenario 2

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the toss and bowl
• PP score - 55-65
• CSK- 170-180
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the match

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.

CSK beat MI by 4 wickets in their previous game. RCB defeated KKR in their first game

RCB made a brilliant start to their campaign after beating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven wickets the other day at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Chasing 175, RCB romped home with 22 balls left in their innings.

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 59 while Phil Salt made 56. Krunal Pandya also impressed after finishing with figures of 4-0-29-3. Josh Hazlewood also stepped up with the ball, taking two wickets at an economy rate of 5.50.

RCB might want to play an extra spinner in the form of Swapnil Singh or Mohit Rathee, given the conditions at the Chepauk. In that scenario, Rasikh Salam Dar might have to make way for the left-arm spinner.