In a highly anticipated encounter, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will lock horns with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the eighth group-stage match of the ongoing IPL 2025 season. The thrilling contest is scheduled to take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in Chennai on Friday, March 29, 2025, starting at 7:30 PM IST. Both teams come into this match with momentum from their respective opening games, setting the stage for a competitive clash.
RCB had a dream start to their IPL 2025 campaign, defeating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven wickets in their tournament opener. With star players like Virat Kohli and the explosive batting lineup, RCB will look to carry forward their winning momentum as they take on one of the most successful franchises in IPL history.
On the other hand, CSK also began their season on a positive note, winning their opening match against Mumbai Indians (MI) by four wickets. CSK’s biggest advantage in this clash will be their home ground advantage. Over the years, Chepauk has been a fortress for the Yellow Army, and they have proven to be incredibly difficult to beat at this venue. In fact, CSK has dominated RCB in Chennai, winning 8 out of 9 matches, with their only loss occurring in the inaugural 2008 season.
This upcoming match marks the 34th encounter between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. CSK leads the head-to-head record with 21 wins against RCB's 11 wins, and one match ended without a result. Their last meeting saw RCB emerge victorious by 27 runs, leaving CSK eager for a comeback.
As both teams look to build on their early successes, this match will be crucial for setting the tone for the rest of the tournament. The stakes are high, making this clash even more thrilling, especially with the passionate crowd expected to fill the stands at Chepauk.
In terms of squad strength, CSK will rely on their experienced players like MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who have been instrumental in their past successes. Meanwhile, RCB will look to their captain, Rajat Patidar, alongside the formidable batting prowess of Kohli and the all-round capabilities of Krunal Pandya.
Fans can catch all the action live on the Star Sports Network, which will broadcast the match across several channels, including Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 HD, and regional channels such as Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Telugu, and Star Sports 1 Kannada. For those wanting to stream the match, it will be available on the JioHotstar app and website, requiring an active subscription.
For viewers outside India, the match can also be watched on various platforms. In Pakistan, fans can tune in via the TapmadTV app and website at 7:00 PM local time. In Bangladesh, T Sports will broadcast the match at 8:00 PM, while in the UK, Sky Sports Cricket will air it at 2:00 PM. African viewers can catch the action on SuperSport at 4:00 PM, and in Australia, Fox Cricket will provide coverage at 1:00 AM. Finally, in the USA, Willow TV will offer live coverage at 9:00 AM.
The toss for the match will take place at 7:00 PM IST, a crucial moment that could influence the outcome, especially given Chennai’s conditions during the evening match.
As excitement builds for this Southern Derby, fans are eagerly anticipating a thrilling run fest amidst the sweltering Chennai heat, with the atmosphere of "Thala's Den" only adding to the excitement. With both teams eager to assert their dominance in the tournament, this clash promises to be a high-octane encounter that no cricket fan should miss.
