Chennai Super Kings look to extend dominance over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 8, with Kohli and Noor Ahmed primed for standout roles.
March 28, 2025: Chennai:
The iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium is all set to host one of the most anticipated clashes of the IPL 2025 season — Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) — in Match 8 on Friday, March 28, at 7:30 PM IST.
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Recent Form & Team Momentum
Both teams come into the contest with opening match victories under their belts. CSK registered a four-wicket win over Mumbai Indians at Chepauk, with Noor Ahmad (4/18) and Khaleel Ahmed (3 wickets) starring with the ball. The chase was anchored by Rachin Ravindra’s 65* and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 53, despite a stutter from the middle order.
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Meanwhile, RCB took down defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in their backyard. After restricting KKR to 174/8, thanks to Krunal Pandya and Josh Hazlewood’s heroics, Phil Salt (56) and Virat Kohli (59*) chased down the target with ease, showcasing their batting firepower.
Pitch & Conditions
The Chepauk pitch traditionally supports spinners and has become slower in recent years. A first-innings total around 170 is par, though defending anything below that may be challenging. With temperatures around 26–27°C and no rain forecast, fans can expect a full game under lights.
Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 33
- CSK Wins: 21
- RCB Wins: 11
- No Result: 1
- Last Meeting: May 18, 2024 – CSK won
Predicted Playing XIs
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra, Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Sub: Rahul Tripathi
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):
Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar Salam, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal
Impact Sub: Devdutt Padikkal
Players to Watch
🔝 Batter – Virat Kohli:
Kohli is in vintage form, scoring an unbeaten 59 in the opener. The former RCB skipper thrives under pressure and will aim to add to his tally and climb the Orange Cap leaderboard.
🔥 Bowler – Noor Ahmad:
Afghanistan’s young spin sensation Noor Ahmad could be the game-changer at Chepauk. His four-wicket spell against MI showcased his control and threat, particularly on spin-friendly surfaces. He’ll likely target Kohli, who has shown vulnerability against wrist spin.
🧠 Match Prediction
While RCB enters with confidence, CSK’s familiarity with Chepauk’s tricky conditions and a stronger head-to-head record gives them a slight edge. Expect a close contest, but Chennai’s spin depth could make the difference.
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