At the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by a record 50 runs in Match 8 of the TATA IPL 2025. In addition to being RCB’s first victory over CSK at Chepauk since 2008, this decisive victory cemented their place atop the points table with consecutive victories.
Josh Hazlewood’s three-wicket haul and captain Rajat Patidar’s half-century were key components of RCB’s dominant display. Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain of CSK, chose to bowl first against RCB after winning the toss. Phil Salt continued his explosive play from the previous game as RCB started their innings. Salt swiftly overcame the CSK bowlers, but his flaming blow was cut short when Noor Ahmad, who was also playing well, stumped him with lightning speed, sending him back for 32 off 16.
While Padikkal hit 14 runs in his opening over against Ravindra Jadeja, Kohli took his time settling in. But with to Gaikwad’s low catch at covers and Ravichandran Ashwin’s incisive bowling, Padikkal’s brief appearance ended at 27 off 14 balls. Captain Patidar was brought to the crease as a result, and he took advantage of several CSK fielders’ dropped catches. As Patidar settled into a groove, Kohli tried to quicken his pace but was taken out for 31 by Noor Ahmad, who took his second wicket. Looking dangerous, Liam Livingstone hit a six off Noor but was quickly removed, giving the left-arm spinner his third wicket. However, Patidar continued to be the RCB’s pillar of support, amassing a vital 51 off 32 balls to provide stability in the middle overs.
Despite a late comeback, RCB was placed under strain by Matheesha Pathirana’s outstanding penultimate over (1 run and 2 wickets), which saw the dismissal of Patidar and Krunal Pandya. Tim David ended things spectacularly by hitting Sam Curran for three sixes in the last over. On a difficult Chepauk pitch, RCB’s innings-ending total of 196/7 appeared defendable. The visitors had a fantastic start thanks to RCB’s bowling assault, which was led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. In a brilliant second over, Hazlewood used his height and accuracy to remove Rahul Tripathi and CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad with back-of-a-length deliveries. Following Deepak Hooda’s trap by Bhuvneshwar, CSK was battling at 30/3 in the powerplay.
Rachin Ravindra kept losing partners despite his best efforts to lead the innings. Sam Curran holed out off Livingstone’s bowling, ending his effort at a counterattack too soon. CSK required a strong partnership with Ravindra and Shivam Dube at the crease after reaching 65/4 in 10 overs. Yash Dayal destroyed CSK’s aspirations in a single over, dismissing both set batters and essentially ending the game for RCB just as Ravindra and Dube were trying to regroup. Soon after, Ashwin left for Livingstone, putting CSK in serious danger. The Chepauk audience was excited when MS Dhoni arrived at the crease as the match was coming to an end. Even though Jadeja delivered a couple late blows, Hazlewood ultimately defeated him with remarkable figures of 3/21 in four overs.
To the pleasure of the home crowd, Dhoni made a classic cameo by hitting two sixes and a four off Krunal Pandya in the last over, even though the outcome was certain. But it was too little, too late, as CSK lost by 50 runs, their largest IPL loss against any opponent at Chepauk, finishing at 146/8.