Sports
IPL 2025 Match 8: CSK vs RCB – Who’ll Rule the Southern Derby?
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will take on each other in the eighth match of IPL 2025 on March 28 at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai. With CSK’s spin fortress facing RCB’s revamped batting, we analyze who will win today’s match with stats, pitch insights, and expert picks.
Match Details
The first Southern Derby of IPL 2025 hits tomorrow, with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squaring off against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium. It’s spin vs. sluggers in a clash that’s got fans buzzing.
- Date: March 28, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Live: JioCinema & Star Sports
CSK vs RCB: Head-to-Head Record
- Matches: 32
- CSK Won: 21
- RCB Won: 11
- No Result: 0
Last time at Chepauk in 2024, CSK rolled RCB by 6 wickets—Rachin Ravindra’s 37 off 15 set the tone. Chennai’s got the historical edge, especially at home.
Chepauk Pitch Report
- Surface: Slow and grippy—spinners thrive, averaging 6.5 economy here.
- Avg 1st Innings Score: 159 night games; 155 in CSK’s opener this year—MI made 155, CSK chased in 19.1.
- Toss Call: Bat first—teams defending have won 8 of 10 recent night games.
- Weather: 32°C, 70% humidity—dew’s light, won’t flip the script much.
Probable Playing XI
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (C)
- Rachin Ravindra
- Rahul Tripathi
- Shivam Dube
- Vijay Shankar
- Ravindra Jadeja
- MS Dhoni (WK)
- Sam Curran
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Noor Ahmad
- Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Sub: Matheesha Pathirana
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Phil Salt
- Virat Kohli
- Rajat Patidar
- Krunal Pandya
- Dinesh Karthik (WK)
- Cameron Green
- Anuj Rawat
- Josh Hazlewood
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Vijaykumar Vyshak
- Yash Dayal
Impact Sub: Mayank Dagar
Key Battle Zones
CSK’s Strengths
- Spin Grip: Jadeja, Ashwin, and Noor—CSK’s trio choked MI last week (Noor’s 4-18).
- Death Sting: Pathirana’s slingy yorkers could shut down RCB’s late surge.
- Dhoni Magic: When he fires, CSK rarely lose—unbeaten in 9 of 11 chases with him at the crease.
RCB’s X-Factors
- Powerplay Heat: Salt (56 off 31 vs. KKR) and Kohli (59* off 36) tore it up last game—95 in 9 overs.
- Middle Muscle: Green and Karthik can slug spin—both over 150 SR vs. slow stuff lately.
- Bhuvi’s Swing: Kumar’s 2-22 vs. KKR could rattle CSK early.
Who Will Win? Prediction
Why CSK Could Win
- Chepauk’s a fortress—8 straight wins vs. RCB here.
- Spin trio vs. RCB’s middle order—Pandya and Patidar struggle against quality turn.
- Home crowd and CSK’s 4-wicket MI win give them swagger.
Why RCB Could Win
- Kohli’s on fire—loves Chepauk, 3 fifties in his last 5 here.
- Salt’s aggression could blast past CSK’s openers—95 in the powerplay last outing.
- RCB’s batting depth—Green and DK—might outlast CSK’s aging legs.
Final Verdict
CSK’s got a 60-40 edge. The pitch plays to their spinners, and RCB’s lone spin option (Dagar) looks thin. Expect a scrap, but Chennai’s home mojo should hold.
Our Prediction: CSK to win by 10-20 runs or 4 wickets.
Fantasy XI Tips
- Safe Captain: Ruturaj Gaikwad—53 off 26 vs. MI, loves Chepauk.
- Differential Pick: Noor Ahmad—4-fer last game, spin’s king here.
- Bowling Must-Have: Ravichandran Ashwin—nearing 200 IPL wickets, lethal at home.
