The much-anticipated IPL 2025 Match 8 between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is set to take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, March 28, at 7:30 PM IST. Both teams are coming off victories in their opening matches and will aim to continue their winning momentum.
Match Information:
- Fixture: Chennai Super Kings vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Date & Time: Friday, March 28, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Broadcast: Star Sports Network
- Live Stream: JioHotstar
Weather Report:
Currently 98° · Cloudy
Chennai, India
| Today | 99°76° | Cloudy and very warm |
 Saturday | 101°76° | Mostly sunny and hot; caution advised if outside for extended periods of time |
 Sunday | 97°76° | Very warm with plenty of sunshine |
| Monday | 97°75° | Sunny and very warm |
| Tuesday | 96°76° | Sunshine and a few clouds |
| Wednesday | 95°78° | A shower in places in the morning; otherwise, mostly sunny |
| Thursday | 96°78° | Sunshine and a few clouds with a stray shower; humid |
Pitch Report:
The MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch traditionally favors spinners, offering assistance as the match progresses. The average first-innings score is around 147 runs, suggesting a balanced contest between bat and ball. Captains winning the toss might prefer to bat first to capitalize on the initial batting-friendly conditions before the pitch slows down.
Probable Playing XI:
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
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
- Philip Salt (wk)
- Virat Kohli
- Rajat Patidar (C)
- Liam Livingstone
- Jitesh Sharma
- Tim David
- Krunal Pandya
- Rasikh Dar Salam / Bhuvneshwar Kumar (subject to fitness)
- Suyash Sharma
- Yash Dayal
- Josh Hazlewood
Injury Update:
RCB pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is expected to return to action against CSK, pending a late fitness test.
Players to Watch:
- Rachin Ravindra (CSK): Impressed with an unbeaten 65 runs in the opener against Mumbai Indians, showcasing composure under pressure.
- Virat Kohli (RCB): Continued his stellar form with a solid 59* in the opening match, anchoring RCB’s chase effectively.
- Noor Ahmad (CSK): The Afghan spinner delivered a remarkable 4/18 against Mumbai Indians, exploiting the spin-friendly conditions at Chepauk.
- Krunal Pandya (RCB): Contributed significantly with a three-wicket haul in RCB’s opener, breaking the backbone of KKR’s batting lineup.
Fantasy Cricket Tips:
Captaincy Picks:
- Rachin Ravindra (CSK): His all-round abilities and recent form make him a strong candidate for captaincy.
- Virat Kohli (RCB): A consistent performer whose experience and form are invaluable in fantasy leagues.
Vice-Captaincy Picks:
- Noor Ahmad (CSK): Given the spin-friendly conditions, he could be a game-changer with the ball.
- Liam Livingstone (RCB): Known for his explosive batting and handy spin bowling, offering dual points potential.
Budget Picks:
- Khaleel Ahmed (CSK): Effective with the new ball, as evidenced by his 3/29 in the previous match.
- Yash Dayal (RCB): A promising pacer who can be a valuable addition at a lower credit cost.
Players to Avoid:
- Swastik Chikara (RCB): Unlikely to feature in the playing XI.
- Vansh Bedi (CSK): Limited prospects of playing in this match.
Match Prediction:
Considering CSK’s formidable record at Chepauk and their spin arsenal, they might have a slight edge over RCB. However, RCB’s dynamic batting lineup, led by Virat Kohli, can turn the tables if they adapt well to the conditions. Expect a closely contested match with both teams having ample firepower to clinch victory.
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