IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru end 17-year wait to win at Chennai

Royal Challengers Bengaluru arrived with a plan and executed it to perfection, silencing the whistles at Chennai’s fortress with a commanding 50-run victory on Friday.

RCB’s bowlers expertly exploited the slow-paced wicket, using pace-off deliveries and keeping the ball out of the batters' scoring arc. After Rajat Patidar’s half-century guided them to 196 for 7 in 20 overs, their disciplined bowling attack—backed by sharp fielding—stifled Chennai’s chase and ended RCB’s long winless run at Chepauk.

RCB last tasted victory at this venue in 2008, but this time, they came prepared to trap the Lions in their own den. New Zealand opener Rachin Ravindra top-scored for CSK with a 31-ball 41, but none of the other top-order batters made significant contributions. Chennai lacked a clear game plan, playing at a 50-over tempo in a T20 contest.

The crowd got to witness their favourite, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, score an unbeaten 30, but the heavy defeat could impact Chennai’s net run rate—a factor that might cost them a playoff spot.

Josh Hazlewood led RCB’s bowling attack with 3 for 21, while Yash Dayal and Liam Livingstone chipped in with two wickets each. In the final analysis, RCB were clinical in all facets of the game, but Chennai’s dropped catches proved to be the biggest difference.

Put in to bat, Virat Kohli anchored the innings while Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, and Patidar all scored at a brisk pace to keep the run rate high. However, it was Tim David’s explosive eight-ball 22—featuring three sixes in the final over—that decisively shifted the momentum in RCB’s favour, leaving Chennai with no way back.

Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad was the pick of CSK’s bowlers, claiming three wickets to take the Purple Cap.

RCB have the match firmly in their grasp as Chennai’s batters struggle to find any rhythm. There seems to be no clear plan or urgency in their chase, with both Rachin Ravindra and Sam Curran merely playing out time.

The dismissal of Curran has brought in Impact Player Shivam Dube, who is the first to show some intent as the required run rate hovers above 13 runs per over. At the halfway mark, CSK are 65 for 4, well behind RCB’s 93 for 2 at the same stage.

RCB pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood are tightening the screws on Chennai’s batting lineup. The Australian quick struck twice in his first over, including the crucial wicket of skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, putting the hosts under immense pressure.

Both bowlers have been miserly, not giving anything away easily, but opener Rachin Ravindra is keeping the scoreboard ticking. However, the dismissal of Deepak Hooda has further compounded Chennai’s troubles, leaving them struggling at 26 for 3 after five overs.

Led by skipper Rajat Patidar’s half-century and useful contributions from to top order batters have given Royal Challengers Bengaluru a defendable total after scoring 196 for seven in 20 overs. RCB were stuttering in overs number 18 and 19, but Tim David’s 22, including a 19-run last over off Sam Curran, gave them a slight cushion on a flat bouncy pitch that is good for batting. Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmed again was CSK’s top bowler with three wickets, including the prized wicket of Kohli, while Pathirana claimed two in one over.

Patidar made Chennai pay for the dropped chances with an aggressive 51 off just 32 overs. Chennai’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni again proved that he is an ageless wonder with a flash stumping to dismiss Phil Salt.

Bengaluru have scored good runs, but it might not be easy on this pitch. But Chennai have the depth in the batting and should be able to overhaul the target and maintain their supremacy in the South Indian Derby.

It’s all happening in Chennai—big sixes, dropped chances, and a blow to Kohli’s helmet. The action is heating up.

Right after the break, Virat Kohli was struck on the helmet by the first ball from Matheesha Pathirana. But he responded in style, smashing the next delivery for six as the over went for 16 runs. However, Chennai’s catching has been below par.

In the last couple of overs, Rajat Patidar was dropped three times, but Ravindra finally held on to a straightforward chance to dismiss Kohli. Despite that, Patidar is threatening to take RCB to a big total. After 14 overs, RCB are 133 for 3, with the skipper batting on 35 off 21 balls.

If there’s one area where CSK have traditionally shown vulnerability, it’s the powerplay. However, the home team have managed to keep Bengaluru in check, restricting them to 56 for one after six overs. The spinners have stifled RCB’s momentum, but the visitors are sticking to their plan.

Virat Kohli is anchoring one end, while the other batters are taking an aggressive approach, going after the bowling. At the halfway mark, RCB are 93 for two. They need to double their total from here—an achievable target.

Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad wins toss, elects to bowl on a dry pitch at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium

The evening dew could play a key role in the outcome of this high-stakes clash between arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

"The wicket will play slightly better than the last game, so we’re looking to chase whatever the target is. So far, there has been no dew, but you never know when it’ll arrive. It’s uncontrollable, but we have planned better for it. We were slightly behind in the field last time and need to improve there,” Gaikwad said at the toss.

Chennai have made one change to the squad that defeated Mumbai Indians in the opener, with Matheesha Pathirana replacing Nathan Ellis.

RCB’s Rajat Patidar also would have opted to bowl first but believes it wouldn’t have made a big difference.

“The surface looks hard, so I don’t think it would have mattered much. It’s important to bring out our best every day, and we want to do that tonight as well. The bowling unit showed great courage in the last game after 13 tough overs, which was heartening. The openers showing intent was impressive too,” Patidar said.

Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes into the RCB squad.

Teams

Chennai Super Kings

Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Deepak Hooda, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed.

Impact Players options: Shivam Dube,  Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Vijay Shankar, Jamie Overton, Shaikh Rasheed.

 Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Phil Salt (wk), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.

Impact Players options: Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh.