Chennai , 29 March (H.S.): In a significant IPL match, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) triumphed over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 50 runs, achieving their first win at Chepauk since 2008. RCB set a target of 197 runs, scoring 196/7, with Rajat Patidar top-scoring at 51 runs, supported by Phil Salt and Virat Kohli.

CSK, in response, managed only 146/8, with Rachin Ravindra scoring 41 and MS Dhoni contributing an unbeaten 30. RCB's bowlers excelled, with Josh Hazlewood taking 3 wickets for 21 runs and Yash Dayal claiming 2 for 18. Despite a late effort by Dhoni, CSK fell short. Additionally, Ravindra Jadeja reached a landmark, becoming the first IPL player with over 3000 runs and 100 wickets.

On 28 March 2025, the eagerly awaited match between CSK and RCB commenced with Phil Salt and Virat Kohli at bat. CSK won the toss and chose to bowl first, with Khaleel Ahmed opening for RCB. Salt hit two fours, advancing RCB's score to 9/0 after one over. The pitch favored batting and offered spin assistance.

Kohli's arrival at Chepauk elicited cheers, as he had been dismissed only once by Ravichandran Ashwin in IPL history, averaging 179 against him. Kohli was just 55 runs away from 13,000 T20 runs. The match statistics noted Ravindra Jadeja as the top wicket-taker between the teams, while Kohli led in runs scored against CSK. CSK's historical dominance and RCB's past struggles in Chennai added to the rivalry's intensity.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar