IPL 2025, CSK vs RCB Highlights: RCB end 17-year-wait, beat CSK at the Chepauk Stadium for the first time since 2008

IPL 2025, CSK vs RCB Highlights: Josh Hazlewood returned figures of 3/21

IPL 2025, CSK vs RCB Highlights: RCB have not only recorded their first win at the Chepauk Stadium against CSK since 2008, they have made a record of it. CSK were thrashed by 50 runs, the biggest defeat they have suffered against any side ever at the Chepauk Stadium.

RCB's spinners tightened the noose around CSK in the middle overs and they are now reaping the benefits of that. Yash Dayal got them closer to a first win at the Chepauk Stadium against CSK with two wickets in the 13th over. Earlier, senior fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar rattled away three wickets in the powerplay. Hazlewood shook up former side by dismissing Rahul Tripathi and CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad in his first over itself.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru posted 196/7 in 20 overs vs Chennai Super Kings, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday. Rajat Patidar scored his fifty as RCB captain but fell soon thereafter as CSK continued to keep the batters in check. Phil Salt got off to a typically quick start in the first two overs but couldn't do much in the powerplay after that. He finally fell in the fifth over to Noor Ahmad thanks to some sensationally fast hands from MS Dhoni.

Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and Chennai Super Kings are bowling first against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Matheesha Pathirana is back for CSK while Bhuvneshwar Kumar is set to make his RCB debut. Match 8 of IPL 2025 sees two great fanbases lock horns for pride in the south of India. The five-time champions Chennai Super Kings, habitual winners in this fixture, up against a Royal Challengers Bengaluru unit that has a different look in their eye as they finally try to get that trophy monkey off their backs. This contest always has its fair share of dynamite cricket and iconic moments, and with both these teams looking in good shape at the moment, good cricket is almost a promise at the M Chidambaram Stadium.

The last time RCB and CSK played each other was perhaps one of the most memorable games in the history of the IPL. With RCB trying to complete a miraculous comeback in the second half of the season, they had to beat CSK in the final match of their season, in what was a virtual pre-quarterfinal ahead of the playoffs. Not only that, they also had to catch up to the net run-rate, setting up a mouth-watering equation.

What the RCB team did that day went to show that this newest iteration of this team isn’t the same as that which has been seen in the past. It is a management and leadership group that is intent on winning and playing games on their own terms, becoming more combative and involved, rather than the sometimes-spectacular-sometimes-shocking pattern that had come to define them.

Riding that momentum and the memories of that night at home in Bengaluru, RCB will be seeking the sort of performance and result that will well and truly establish their credentials as competitors in this year’s tournament. They had a dominating win over KKR in the opening match of the tournament, as they clicked in all departments. Particularly in the batting, everyone showed an explosiveness that only comes when the batters are in form. If their top order can click the way they did in Kolkata, it sets them up beautifully, especially given the power that lies in their lower middle order.

CSK were equally dominant, python-like in their victory over Mumbai Indians. Over the years, CSK and MS Dhoni as a strategist have perfected the ability to squeeze the energy out of opposition batting, with economical bowling and regular wickets. On a surface this leadership group knows better than the back of their own hands, that spin troika of Jadeja-Ashwin-Noor will be crucial, especially to keep RCB’s explosive batting quiet. Add to this the sublime touch Ruturaj Gaikwad showed off in his fluent innings against MI, and they have the talismanic top order player that every team wants. Add to this the uber-talented Rachin Ravindra alongside him, and the ability to craft a batting team that has ability down to number nine, and it’s just a typically strong and competitive CSK team. Their identity is to make matches as uncomfortable and difficult to win for their opponents, and even this refreshed post-mega-auction team has that quality within it.

It’s a difficult match to call given how level these teams look on paper, but the home advantage CSK hold at Chepauk is something no other IPL team can boast of. They aren’t unbeatable at home, but playing a game of cricket as an opposition team in that sea of yellow is as intimidating a prospect as is present in this IPL. Their familiarity, and the ability to play two consecutive games at home, probably means they are the odds-on favourites to pull off the win on Friday evening. That being said, they do have the unenviable prospect of trying to contain a Virat Kohli who has very little left to accomplish in world cricket. Don’t forget, an IPL trophy is still one of them.

Here are some pointers to CSK vs RCB:

- RCB beat CSK by 50 runs

- CSK lose three wickets in the powerplay

- RCB post 196/7 in 20 overs

- RCB were 56/1 at the end of the powerplay

- Bhuvneshwar Kumar is making his debut for RCB

- Matheesha Pathirana returns for CSK in place of Nathan Ellis

- Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and chose to bowl first