Last Updated on 3 weeks by Charbel Coorey

It’s time for the most awaited game of IPL 2025 – Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Although CSK is ahead of RCB on all fronts as a side, the rivalry has become one of the biggest in the tournament, especially after RCB knocked out CSK to reach the playoffs in IPL 2024. This game will be played at Chepauk on 28th March 2025. 

CSK defeated the Mumbai Indians by four wickets on the back of an excellent bowling effort and match-winning knocks from Rachin Ravindra (65*) and Ruturaj Gaiwkad (53). Noor Ahmad picked up four wickets while Khaleel Ahmed picked up three. 

Middle-order batting is a concern for CSK, but they have players who are capable enough to do well in that role. The likes of Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi and Sam Curran will have to step up with the bat. The bowling looks good for the Super Kings with Khaleel Ahmed a wicket-taker in the powerplay, followed by the quality spin trio of Noor, Ashwin and Jadeja. Ellis is a fantastic defensive bowler towards the end phase as well. 

RCB, meanwhile, also won their season opener against KKR quite comprehensively by seven wickets. Phil Salt (56 runs), Virat Kohli (59* runs) and Rajat Patidar (34 runs) helped their side over the line while chasing 176 runs. All three batters looked in sublime touch in the first game. 

Krunal Pandya (3/29) was exceptional alongside Josh Hazlewood (2/22). These two pulled things back quite nicely after a loose start. However, it will be interesting to see how the RCB batters turn up against CSK’s spinners on a potentially slowish track. Patidar and Liam Livingstone will be the key batters for them in the middle overs in addition to the openers. 

Both teams will be eyeing their second consecutive win in this game and it promises to be a thriller of a contest. In this article, we will look at the possible playing XIIs, Chepauk pitch report, fantasy tips and Dream11 Prediction for the 8th match of IPL 2025.

IPL 2025 8th Match: CSK vs RCB Probable Playing XIIs

CSK is expected to be unchanged. 

Chennai Super Kings: 1. Rahul Tripathi, 2. Rachin Ravindra, 3. Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), 4. Shivam Dube, 5. Deepak Hooda, 6. Sam Curran, 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. MS Dhoni (wk), 9. Ravichandran Ashwin, 10. Noor Ahmad, 11. Nathan Ellis 12. Khaleel Ahmed (Impact)

RCB may bring in Bhuvneshwar Kumar for one of Rasikh Salam or Yash Dayal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 1. Phil Salt, 2. Virat Kohli, 3. Devdutt Padikkal, 4. Rajat Patidar, 5. Liam Livingstone, 6. Jitesh Sharma (wk), 7. Tim David, 8. Krunal Pandya, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar/Yash Dayal, 10. Rasikh Salam, 11. Josh Hazlewood 12. Suyash Sharma (Impact)

MA Chidambaram Stadium Chepauk Chennai Pitch Report and Weather

The pitch is expected to be a little two-paced. It got slower as the game progressed in the first match between CSK and MI. Powerplay was the best time to bat. There was little-to-no movement for the pacers with the new ball. The spinners will enjoy the conditions as there was ample turn and grip for them.

Scores in the range of 160-180 are expected. Teams are expected to prefer chasing but batting first won’t be a bad option at all. Middle-order batters will have to be on their toes against the spinners. Dew can be a factor in this match. 

It will be a clear day with no chance of rain. The temperature will be around 31 degrees Celsius at the start of the game. Humidity will be around 70-75%.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for CSK vs RCB: Top Picks/Key Players to Watch

Note: Try to pick more batters and all-rounders if you are playing on Dream11. The new point system rewards the batters heavily.

Top Wicket-Keeper Picks: 

• Phil Salt scored 56 in the first game and will be a good fantasy pick here. Although he has had his struggles against CSK (20 runs in 3 innings at an average of 6.7), he will be the safest pick from the wicket-keeping section. 

Key batter picks: 

• Ruturaj Gaiwkad looked in sublime touch in the MI game. He has a poor record against RCB (199 runs in 8 innings at an average of 28.40 with one fifty) but an excellent record at the venue in T20s: 759 runs in 16 innings at an average of 58.38 at a strike rate of 142.94 with six fifties and a hundred.
• Shivam Dube has 234 runs in five innings against RCB at an average of 78 and has struck at 158.10 including a couple of fifties. He can be the game-changer in fantasy cricket for this game. 
• Virat Kohli has 1067 runs against CSK in 33 innings at an average of 36.80 including 9 fifties. Kohli is in great form at the moment and will be a good C/VC choice as well. 
• Rajat Patidar has 62 runs in three innings against CSK with a highest score of 41. Since the start of 2022, Patidar has scored 390 runs against spin in the IPL at an average of 65 and strike rate of 185.7.
• Rachin Ravindra has 98 runs in two games against RCB including a score of 61. He has been in terrific form lately and will be a top C/VC pick. He can bowl a few overs in this game, if required. 

Top all-rounder picks: 

• Ravindra Jadeja has 358 runs and 26 wickets against RCB in 29 matches. He will be a key player for CSK with both bat and ball. Jadeja can be lethal if the ball starts gripping.  
• Liam Livingstone averages 39.70 against CSK in three innings for 119 runs. He has picked up two wickets as well. Livingstone is expected to bowl 2-4 overs in this game but he’ll have to be on his toes with the bat. 

Key bowler picks: 

• Josh Hazlewood will be a key bowler for RCB. He has two wickets against CSK in three games. Hazlewood can trouble the CSK batters with his hard lengths. 
• Noor Ahmad has 4 wickets in three games against RCB. He will be confident coming into this game and can wreak havoc on his day, as he did with four wickets against MI. He’s a must in your fantasy teams. 
• Khaleel Ahmed has seven wickets in four games against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He will bowl the important overs for CSK and can chip in with a few wickets.

Other Players to Consider for Your Fantasy Cricket Team 

• Rahul Tripathi averages 40.50 against RCB in 12 innings for his 324 runs with a couple of fifties. He will attack the bowlers from the word go and can fetch plenty of points on his day.
• Krunal Pandya was superb against KKR, taking 3/29. He can be a factor on a Chepauk pitch which can turn. However, he has just six wickets in 11 T20s on this ground so far.

Other picks you can consider: 

• Deepak Hooda (GLs)
• Sam Curran
• Rasikh Salam/Yash Dayal (Bowling first)
• Nathan Ellis (Bowling first)

More Stats and Matchups

• Head to Head: Matches: 33, CSK 21, RCB 11.
• Since the start of 2023, Phil Salt has been dismissed seven times in 106 balls against spin at a strike rate of 164.2.
• Rajat Patidar vs Ravichandran Ashwin (T20s): 25 deliveries, 24 runs, 2 dismissals.
• Virat Kohli vs Ravindra Jadeja (T20s): 145 deliveries, 157 runs, 3 dismissals.
• Liam Livingstone vs Noor Ahmad (T20s): 16 deliveries, 20 runs, 3 dismissals.
• Devdutt Padikkal vs Khaleel Ahmed (T20s): 4 deliveries, 0 runs, 2 dismissals.
• Virat Kohli vs Khaleel Ahmed (T20s): 20 balls, 34 runs, 1 dismissal.

IPL 2025 8th Match: CSK vs RCB Dream11 Prediction 

Option 1:

Option 2:

IPL 2025 8th Match: CSK vs RCB Match Prediction: Who will win?

The key to winning this game will be how well the batters can hold their composure. CSK’s spin attack can go through any batting line-up on their day while CSK’s batters will have to be cautious against Josh Hazlewood.

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt and Rajat Patidar will be the key batters for RCB. Overall, CSK looks better with bowling quality and batting depth and they should win this game.