In a thrilling IPL 2025 clash, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stunned Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with a dominant 50-run win at the iconic Chepauk Stadium on Friday night. This marks RCB’s first win in Chennai in 17 years — their last victory at this venue came in the inaugural 2008 season.
RCB Posts a Competitive 196 After Losing Toss
Batting first after losing the toss, Bengaluru posted a formidable 196/7 in their 20 overs. Captain Rajat Patidar led from the front with a fluent 51, supported by solid contributions from Phil Salt (32), Virat Kohli (31), and Devdutt Padikkal (27).
CSK bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs. Spinner Noor Ahmad was the standout with 3 wickets, while Matheesha Pathirana claimed 2. Ravichandran Ashwin and Khaleel Ahmed chipped in with a wicket each.
CSK Falters in Run Chase Despite Dhoni’s Late Heroics
Chasing 197, Chennai never really got going and were restricted to 146/8 in their 20 overs. Rachin Ravindra top-scored with 41, followed by Ravindra Jadeja with 25.
Former captain MS Dhoni came in to bat unusually late at No. 9 — a move that raised eyebrows and led to speculation about a cautious strategy or fear of early exposure. Nevertheless, Dhoni fought valiantly, remaining unbeaten with 30 off 16 balls, including 3 fours and 2 sixes.
The RCB bowling unit was clinical, with Josh Hazlewood claiming 3 wickets. Yash Dayal and Liam Livingstone picked up 2 wickets each, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar added one to his name.
Second Straight Win for Bengaluru
This win marks RCB’s second consecutive victory in IPL 2025 and a major psychological boost after years of heartbreak at Chepauk. Their bowling unit’s discipline and middle-order resilience with the bat were key highlights.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.