CSK vs RCB IPL 2025: A Clash of Titans at Chepauk
Match Report, Scorecard, and Key Highlights
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 witnessed a high-octane clash between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 28 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This match, steeped in historical rivalry, delivered thrilling moments, strategic twists, and standout performances. Below is a detailed breakdown of the game, including the scorecard, key highlights, and post-match analysis.
Match Overview
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Date: March 28, 2025
Toss: RCB won the toss and elected to bowl first 58.
Result: CSK defeated RCB by 22 runs.
Team Lineups
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) 48:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
- Rachin Ravindra
- Rahul Tripathi
- Shivam Dube
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Sam Curran
- MS Dhoni (wk)
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Noor Ahmad
- Nathan Ellis
- Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Sub: Deepak Hooda
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) 48:
- Virat Kohli
- Phil Salt (wk)
- Rajat Patidar (c)
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Liam Livingstone
- Tim David
- Krunal Pandya
- Rasikh Salam
- Yash Dayal
- Josh Hazlewood
- Suyash Sharma
Impact Sub: Bhuvneshwar Kumar
First Innings: CSK Batting Dominance
CSK posted a competitive 182/6 in 20 overs, fueled by aggressive starts from their top order.
Key Performances:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (53 off 26 balls): The CSK captain continued his fiery form, smashing six boundaries and three sixes. His 26-ball fifty set the tone for the innings 69.
- Rachin Ravindra (65* off 45 balls): The New Zealand star anchored the innings with a composed knock, including four sixes and two fours. His partnership with Gaikwad (67 runs) was pivotal 56.
- Shivam Dube (28 off 18 balls): Targeted with short balls, Dube countered RCB’s strategy to add crucial runs in the middle overs 4.
RCB Bowling Highlights:
- Krunal Pandya (3/29): The left-arm spinner disrupted CSK’s middle order, dismissing Dube and Jadeja.
- Josh Hazlewood (2/32): The Australian pacer struck early, removing Tripathi in the powerplay 9.
Second Innings: RCB’s Valiant Chase Falls Short
RCB managed 160/8 in 20 overs, struggling against CSK’s spin-heavy attack.
Key Performances:
- Virat Kohli (59* off 36 balls): Kohli’s unbeaten half-century included four boundaries and three sixes. His anchoring role kept RCB’s hopes alive until the final overs 69.
- Phil Salt (32 off 20 balls): The English opener provided a brisk start with a 95-run partnership alongside Kohli 9.
CSK Bowling Dominance:
- Noor Ahmad (4/18): The Afghan spinner dismantled RCB’s middle order, including the wickets of Patidar and Livingstone 58.
- Ravichandran Ashwin (2/24): The veteran outfoxed Padikkal and Tim David with his variations 4.
- Khaleel Ahmed (1/29): His early dismissal of Salt shifted momentum toward CSK 5.
Turning Points
- Powerplay Explosion: CSK raced to 68/1 in the first six overs, thanks to Gaikwad’s aggressive batting 6.
- Noor Ahmad’s Spell: His double-wicket 14th over (dismissing Patidar and Livingstone) derailed RCB’s chase 8.
- Kohli’s Lone Fight: Despite Kohli’s efforts, RCB’s middle-order collapse (5 wickets for 32 runs) sealed their fate 9.
Post-Match Analysis
CSK’s Strategy:
- Leveraged home conditions with three spinners (Ashwin, Jadeja, Noor) to exploit Chepauk’s turning track 8.
- Retained faith in Gaikwad and Ravindra as openers, rewarding their consistency 6.
RCB’s Challenges:
- Over-reliance on Kohli and Salt exposed their fragile middle order.
- Spin weakness: RCB’s batters scored at just 7.2 runs per over against spin, compared to CSK’s 9.1 48.
Records and Milestones
- Virat Kohli: Crossed 1,200 runs vs CSK in IPL history 6.
- Rachin Ravindra: Became the first CSK player to score 50+ in consecutive matches this season 9.
- CSK’s Home Dominance: Extended their unbeaten streak against RCB at Chepauk to 17 years 8.
Player of the Match
Rachin Ravindra (65* off 45 balls, 1 catch) earned the award for his match-defining knock and composure under pressure.
Conclusion
CSK’s 22-run victory reinforced their supremacy at Chepauk, while RCB’s struggles against spin highlighted ongoing tactical gaps. With this win, CSK climbed to second place on the points table, while RCB faces pressure to recalibrate their approach ahead of their Bengaluru leg.
Key Takeaways:
- Spin remains king at Chepauk, favoring CSK’s tactical depth.
- RCB’s middle order needs urgent reinforcement.
- Kohli’s form is a silver lining for RCB’s playoff hopes.
For live updates and full squads, refer to ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz
