IPL 2025: Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Match 8 – Who Said What?

IPL 2025: Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Match 8 – Who Said What?. (Photo Source: IPL)

A long wait of 17 years finally came to an end, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) beat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk’s M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, March 28. Winning the Southern Derby by 50 runs, RCB won their second-ever game at the venue in 18 editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

For Chennai, there were a few positives on the individual front, as their poster boy MS Dhoni breached past the tally of Suresh Raina to become the highest run-getter for the franchise in history. Their left-arm spinner, Noor Ahmad, also got hold off the Purple Cap, having bagged seven wickets in two games he has played so far. Ravindra Jadeja (2 for 36) also bowled well, but it wasn’t enough from stopping RCB to post an above-par total in the first innings.

Talking Points

1. RCB’s middle-order no more a problem

RCB batted first after Chennai captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and elected to field first. Phil Salt (32 off 16) gave a thunderous start, before Noor got the better of him. His opening partner and star batter Virat Kohli looked at discomfort throughout his 30-ball stay in the middle, where he scored only 31 runs. Devdutt Padikkal chipped in with a brisk cameo, while skipper Rajat Patidar was the hero of the first innings with a solid half-century. Tim David rocketed the finishing blows, as the visitors posted 196/7 at the end of 20 overs.

2. Chennai’s Kohi’Noor’ from Afghanistan

Right as Salt was looking dangerous, CSK introduced Noor Ahmad into the attack and the Afghan spinner produced his brilliance instantly, striking with the wickets of both the openers. In his four overs, the overseas spinner bagged three wickets while also keeping the flow of runs in check. Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, who made 12 off 6, became the third victim of Noor at Chepauk. This was his seventh scalp of the season, courtesy of which, he currently has most wickets in the 2025 season of the cash-rich league so far.

Check Here: [WATCH] Chepauk DJ plays ‘Dosa Idli Sambar Chutney’ as Jitesh Sharma departs

3. RCB are table-toppers!

With two consecutive wins against defending champions KKR and five-time champions Chennai, RCB now find themselves at the top with four points and a net run-rate (NRR) of 2.266 on the IPL 2025 Points Table. Their next fixture is against 2022 champions Gujarat Titans, which is also going to be their first game at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru – their home ground. Captain Patidar would want to lead by example and help the team bag yet another win to maintain dominance in the upcoming game as well.

Who Said What?

Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK captain, said

I still feel 170 was a par score on this wicket. It wasn’t that easy to bat. Bad fielding cost us. When you’re chasing 170, you have a little more time, but when you’re chasing 20 runs extra you have to bat differently in the powerplay and it didn’t happen today. It got a little slower, it got a little sticky. The new ball was sticking a bit. Don’t know how it happened. Rahul backed his shot, I backed mine as well, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t. But as I said when you have a par score in mind and you are chasing 20 extra you always want to stay ahead. So that was just the thinking. But at the end we didn’t lose by a big margin, it was just 50 runs. Definitely a different scenario when you have three world class spinners in the team. You want new batters to face them. It didn’t happen this time, we dropped catches and boundaries kept coming and they kept going and the momentum didn’t stop till the last over. There’s a long flight to Guwahati but we just have to turn up mentally and see which are the areas we can improve. I feel the fielding has to improve a lot and we have to come back stronger in the fielding department.

Rajat Patidar, RCB captain and Player of the Match

If I talk about this match, it was a good total on this surface because ball was stopping a bit and it wasn’t easy for batters to hit fours and sixes. [On winning in Chennai] It’s always special playing in Chepauk because of the fans, the way they support their teams. [On his innings] I think it was very important because we were targeting 200 because that wouldn’t be easy to chase. My goal was clear that as long as I was there, I would maximise every ball. [On bowling changes] This track was pretty helpful for spinners so I was just keeping it in my mind that I could use my spinners at the early stage. Especially Livingstone, the way he came in and bowled four overs was incredible. [On Hazlewood] It was game-changing because we got two-three wickets in first six overs. Amazing to see how they kept it on the hard length because the ball wasn’t coming on to the bat easily.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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