Top player battles to watch out for in the CSK vs RCB IPL 2025 match

As if India has not heated up unnaturally already in March, IPL 2025 has promised a surge in temperature on March 28, Friday. CSK vs MI is famously touted as the "El Clasico" of IPL. Equals at five trophies each, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have etched their names as the most successful teams after 17 seasons in the league. However, next in line among CSK's arch-rivals, RCB has shrewdly placed itself despite lagging miles behind in victory and trophy count. While always an exciting southern derby, the CSK vs RCB rivalry intensified multifold last season. A defeat in the last league stage match saw RCB snatching a playoff spot from CSK in IPL 2024. A significant leverage for the five-time champions, RCB fans hold the win dear to themselves. CSK, meanwhile, is keen on the chance to reiterate its domination when they next meet.

Key player battles to watch out for in the CSK vs RCB IPL 2025 match

Their next meeting is scheduled for March 28, as the CSK vs RCB match at Chepauk will mark their second IPL 2025 fixture, respectively. Chennai Super Kings started their campaign on a positive note as they beat their true rivals, Mumbai Indians, in the campaign opener at home. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, meanwhile, opened their account with a win against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, headlined by an unbeaten fifty by Virat Kohli in the chase. However, no matter how early in the season, the pressure would be palpable at Chepauk in the CSK vs RCB fixture.

While RCB would like to boast about their newfound edge over CSK, Chennai would like to send a reminder of their dominance at home and over Bengaluru. While the IPL 2024 contest counts as a significant victory, RCB otherwise lags remarkably behind in the head-to-head record against the five-time champions. Having played 33 matches in the IPL so far, CSK has beaten RCB 21 times, while RCB has 11 victories to its name. Only one of their encounters has ended in a stalemate, dating back to 2012.

Virat Kohli vs Noor Ahmad

In a battle as fierce as CSK vs RCB, every interaction is projected to be a heated one. However, as far as the conditions are concerned, the result would be dictated by performances with the bat and ball. Scheduled at Chepauk, it's a worthless guess that spin would be the hero of the tussle. CSK arguably boasts one of the best spin attacks in IPL 2025, amplified further by the home conditions. With the seasoned Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin in the team, Chennai looks extra strengthened by the scintillating form of Noor Ahmad.

The young Afghanistan spinner scalped a four-fer in his debut game for CSK in the IPL. Rattling the MI batting order, Noor Ahmad registered impressive figures of 4-0-18-4, the best by any spinner for CSK against MI. Virat Kohli could be troubled by CSK’s in-form bowler, given his recent struggles against spin. If the situation allows, CSK could introduce Noor early in the attack to deny Kohli a chance to settle in. If startled early, Noor could be the differentiating factor between the two teams, as Kohli’s current form remains the most crucial aspect of RCB in IPL 2025.

Rajat Patidar vs Ravi Ashwin

Ask any fan, and he would note how Ravi Ashwin looks at his cheerful best in the yellow pride. Happiness brings success in its wake, as witnessed in the CSK vs MI IPL 2025 match, where Ashwin picked a powerplay wicket. However, the newly appointed RCB skipper has a penchant for thrashing spinners. CSK is most likely to sail through the middle overs with their spinners. Depending on whether RCB opts to play Devdutt Padikkal, Patidar could either promote himself at No. 3 or come at his usual spot at 4. However, wherever he bats, his ability to take on spin seamlessly could deter the home team.

Ravi Ashwin, meanwhile, could be trusted to take on Rajat Patidar. The spin-basher, as Patidar is known in the IPL, has been eerily silent against Ashwin, as projected by the stats. In the league, Ashwin has dismissed the RCB skipper twice within 25 deliveries. In these 25 balls, meanwhile, Patidar has managed only 25 runs at a strike rate of 96.00, contrasting with his hard-hitting reputation in the IPL. Whether Patidar improves his record against Ashwin or the spinner asserts his seniority will be an interesting sight on Friday.

Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Yash Dayal

Curbing the CSK captain early would likely do half of the work for RCB at Chepauk. A fifty at a strike rate of over 200 never looked as seamless as the one Gaikwad hit against MI in the campaign opener. Needless to say, Chennai Super Kings is relying heavily on the sublime form of their skipper, with their middle order appearing a bit shaky at the moment. The gritty temperament of Rachin Ravindra, combined with the firepower of Ruturaj Gaikwad, currently defines the success of Chennai's batting order. Whether Gaikwad takes up his usual opening spot or continues backing Rahul Tripathi in the position will be a crucial factor in the game against RCB.

RCB, meanwhile, would count on their retained pick, Yash Dayal, to challenge the CSK skipper. The seamer has dismissed Gaikwad twice in 32 deliveries. However, the batter has never gone down without a fight, scoring four fours and as many sixes against Dayal. In 32 balls, Gaikwad has hit 52 runs at a strike rate of 162.5 against the RCB pacer, averaging 26.00. The battle looks evenly poised so far and will be put to the test yet again in the upcoming clash at Chepauk.