Date: March 28, 2025
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) rivalry is one of the most storied in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Since the league’s inception in 2008, these two teams have delivered thrilling encounters, high-scoring matches, and unforgettable moments. As they prepare to clash again at Chepauk Stadium on March 28, 2025, letโs take a deep dive into their head-to-head records, key performances, and memorable matches from 2008 to 2024.
CSK vs RCB: Head-to-Head Overview
As of 2024, CSK and RCB have faced each other 33 times in the IPL, with CSK dominating the rivalry with 21 wins compared to RCBโs 11 victories. One match ended in no result127.
Key Statistics (2008-2024)
| Metric | CSK | RCB |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 33 | 33 |
| Wins | 21 | 11 |
| Losses | 11 | 21 |
| No Result | 1 | 1 |
| Highest Score | 226 | 218 |
| Lowest Score | 82 | 70 |
| Biggest Win Margin | 92 runs | 36 runs |
CSKโs dominance is particularly evident at Chepauk Stadium, where they have won 8 out of 9 matches, with RCBโs only victory coming way back in 200857.
Season-by-Season Recap (2008-2024)
1. IPL 2008: The Early Battles
- First-ever meeting (April 28, 2008): CSK won byย 13 runsย in Bengaluru.
- Second match (May 21, 2008): RCBโsย only win at Chepauk, defendingย 126 runsย thanks to Anil Kumbleโsย 3/1457.
2. IPL 2009: CSKโs 92-Run Demolition
- April 20, 2009 (Port Elizabeth): CSK bundled RCB forย 87ย after postingย 179, securing aย 92-run winโtheirย biggest marginย in this rivalry37.
3. IPL 2011: The Final Showdown
- May 28, 2011 (Chennai): CSK crushed RCB byย 58 runsย in theย IPL final, with Murali Vijayโsย 95ย and Ravichandran Ashwinโsย 3/16ย sealing their second title67.
4. IPL 2015: CSKโs Hat-Trick of Wins
- CSK wonย all three encounters, including aย 27-run winย in Bengaluru and aย 24-run winย in Chennai7.
5. IPL 2019: The 1-Run Thriller
- April 21, 2019 (Bengaluru): RCB edged CSK byย 1 runย in a last-over thriller, with MS Dhoniโsย 84ย (48)* falling just short7.
6. IPL 2020: Split Results in Dubai
- October 10, 2020: RCB won byย 37 runsย (Virat Kohliโs *90ย (52)**).
- October 25, 2020: CSK bounced back with anย 8-wicket win7.
7. IPL 2021: CSKโs 69-Run Rout
- April 25, 2021 (Mumbai): CSK postedย 191/4, then bowled RCB out forย 122, winning byย 69 runs7.
8. IPL 2023: CSKโs 8-Run Defense
- April 17, 2023 (Bengaluru): CSK defendedย 226/6ย despite Faf du Plessisโย 62, winning byย 8 runs37.
9. IPL 2024: RCBโs Playoff-Clinching Win
- May 18, 2024 (Bengaluru): RCB kept their playoff hopes alive with aย 27-run win, postingย 218/5ย (Faf du Plessisย 54, Rajat Patidarย 41)8.
Chepauk Stadium: CSKโs Fortress
- Matches Played:ย 9
- CSK Wins:ย 8
- RCB Wins:ย 1 (2008)
- Last Meeting (March 22, 2024): CSK won byย 6 wickets57.
RCBโs struggles at Chepauk stem from the pitchโs spin-friendly nature, favoring CSKโs slow bowlers like Ravindra Jadeja (18 wickets vs RCB)46.
Top Performers in CSK vs RCB Matches
Batting Leaders
| Player | Team | Runs | Highest Score | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | RCB | 1053 | 90* | 126.25 |
| MS Dhoni | CSK | 765 | 84* | 146.83 |
| Suresh Raina | CSK | 616 | 73* | 129.41 |
Bowling Leaders
| Player | Team | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravindra Jadeja | CSK | 18 | 3/13 | 7.23 |
| Dwayne Bravo | CSK | 17 | 3/24 | 7.96 |
| Vinay Kumar | RCB | 15 | 4/17 | 8.09 |
What to Expect in IPL 2025?
With CSKโs home advantage and RCBโs revamped squad, todayโs match (March 28, 2025) promises fireworks. Key players to watch:
- CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja.
- RCB: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell.
Given CSKโs Chepauk dominance, RCB will need a special performance to break their 17-year jinx57.
Conclusion
The CSK vs RCB rivalry has given fans 17 years of drama, from Dhoniโs last-over heroics to Kohliโs masterclasses. While CSK leads the head-to-head battle, RCBโs recent resurgence makes this 2025 clash unmissable. Will CSK continue their Chepauk supremacy, or will RCB finally turn the tide? Tune in tonight to find out!
