RCB vs CSK IPL 2025 Live Score, Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings: CSK Opt to Bowl
In a Southern Derby showdown, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the toss and opted to bowl against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. This match marks a significant contrast in fortunes for the two teams, with RCB sitting comfortably at the top of the table and CSK struggling at the bottom.
According to Hindustan Times, RCB are in excellent form, with 14 points from 10 games, and a win would all but guarantee their progression to the playoffs. Their recent victory against Delhi Capitals was a crucial one, with Krunal Pandya’s heroic half-century leading the charge. This momentum is expected to continue, with RCB looking to make it two wins in a row.
On the other hand, CSK have had a dismal season, with eight losses in their last ten games, making them the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention. However, as Hindustan Times notes, there is always an element of schadenfreude involved in sports, particularly amongst fans, and CSK fans would love to see RCB’s run of form come to an end.
In their first match earlier this season, RCB emerged as comfortable victors by 50 runs. A late Tim David blitz and a remarkable new ball performance from Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood were enough to seal a pretty comfortable win. As reported by Hindustan Times, there is certainly a gulf in quality between these two teams at the minute, as their table positions would indicate.
Hindustan Times reports that CSK are opting for a youth movement of sorts, platforming players such as Shaik Rasheed, Ayush Mhatre, and Dewald Brevis. The question remains whether this brave new world for the Chennai Super Kings will help the team storm the RCB den and come away with a big scalp to give them some confidence heading into 2026.
The playing XIs for the match are:
RCB: Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal
CSK: Shaik Rasheed, Ayush Mhatre, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Deepak Hooda, MS Dhoni(w/c), Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Matheesha Pathirana
As the match progresses, Hindustan Times provides live updates, noting that RCB got off to a strong start, with Jacob Bethell and Virat Kohli opening the batting. Bethell was eventually dismissed for 55, caught by Brevis off the bowling of Pathirana. Kohli, however, continued to blaze away, scoring a rapid 62 off 33 balls before being caught by Khaleel off the bowling of Curran.
The key highlights of the RCB vs CSK IPL 2025 fixture include:
- CSK win toss, opt to bowl
- RCB – Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal
- CSK – Shaik Rasheed, Ayush Mhatre, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Deepak Hooda, MS Dhoni(w/c), Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Matheesha Pathirana
As reported by Hindustan Times, several factors could influence the outcome of the match. For instance, CSK’s struggle against spin, with a strike rate of 121 and the most wickets lost (31) this season, could be a weakness that RCB can exploit. Additionally, Khaleel Ahmed’s consistency for CSK, with the most powerplay wickets (9) and most dot balls (106), will be crucial in containing RCB’s batting.
The weather forecast for the match indicates that there will be light rain, but it is expected to only interrupt the game briefly.
In terms of head-to-head, Hindustan Times notes that CSK lead 21-12 vs RCB, but RCB have won their last two encounters.
Overall, the stage is set for an exciting encounter between RCB and CSK, with RCB looking to continue their winning momentum and CSK seeking to salvage some pride in a season that has otherwise been disappointing.
