Matheesha Pathirana with MS Dhoni (Source: @Naninaidu98/X.com)
The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League is up and running in style, and in the eighth match of the season, Chennai Super Kings will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Chepauk. It is one of the most high-profile games of the season, and expect both teams to come out with great intent.
Will CSK Make Changes In Playing XI vs RCB?
Both CSK and RCB have won their first game, and would be looking to carry forward the momentum. However, CSK do have an edge as they are playing at home, and over the years, it has been pretty hard to beat them at their Chepauk. The home team made some interesting playing XI choices in the first game, and let's see how they would go about their line-up against RCB.
In the first game, CSK went with Rachin Ravindra, Sam Curran, Nathan Ellis And Noor Ahmed as their four overseas players. Nathan Ellis got a game because Matheesha Pathirana missed out of the opening game due to unspecified injury, and the same thing is expected to happen in the game against RCB if reports are to be believed.
CSK Need Indian Core To Stand-Up In Batting Department
Thus, CSK are likely to miss their gun-death bowler again, however, the form that Rachin Ravindra showed in the last match would give them confidence. His inclusion over Devon Conway raised some eyebrows in the first match, but Rachin has been in great form in the last year or so, and displayed that maturity in the first match with 65 runs in a tense run-chase.
It means that he would continue to open while Rahul Tripathi is likely to be persisted at the top of the order despite failure in the first match. If they bowl first, Tripathi can come in as Impact Player in the second half. Gaikwad shifted to number 3 at the fag end of last IPL and with two fifties in four innings at that position, he is likely to be back himself again against RCB.
The inclusion of Sam Curran provides the balance, and he can be used as a floater in the middle order. However, the onus will be on Deepak Hooda and Shivam Dube to provide impetus in the middle overs. Jadeja and MS Dhoni will be the finishers of the side with Ashwin too providing depth in the batting line-up.
Noor Ahmed Critical Against RCB's Middle Order
Noor Ahmad though would be key again after a four-wicket haul against MI. RCB have the likes of Liam Livingstone, Tim David in their middle order who might struggle against spin, and that is where CSK would like to attack RCB with their three spinners. The lone Indian pacer in the last game, Khaleel Ahmed bowled well and got three wickets, and if he can remove Kohli early, just like he got Rohit, it could be a big boost for CSK.
There is an option of Vijay Shankar too, but CSK are not known to make lot of changes and there are likely to back Deepak Hooda in the middle order role against RCB. Thus, CSK look a well-settled unit, and have all the arsenal to trouble RCB on what is expected to be a spin friendly deck.
CSK's Probable XI For IPL 2025 Match vs RCB
Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra, Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Players:
Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Jamie Overton, Shaik Rasheed, Kamlesh Nagarkoti
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