The Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (CSK vs RCB) match has been scheduled for the eighth game of the IPL 2025. MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk, Chennai) is ready to host this fixture on Friday evening (March 28).

CSK and RCB are both ready to play the second game of the IPL 2025 after both sides won their respective first match of the season. In the first match of the IPL 2025, RCB beat defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at their home with their dominant performance.

Meanwhile, it was the battle between the five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in Chennai during the third match of the IPL 2025, where CSK bowlers mostly controlled MI batters, and MI bowlers fought hard, but CSK claimed a four-wicket win with five balls remaining.   

As both CSK and RCB have started in positive ways, they will try their best to maintain their early solid start. Both teams have experienced names who can guide the entire team and practically teach the importance of a strong start in an IPL season. 

CSK were not consistent enough at home in the IPL 2024, where they played as the defending champions and just failed to reach the Playoffs, and RCB are looking for their first win against CSK in Chennai since 2010.

IPL 2025, Match 8: CSK vs RCB - Detailed Match Preview

Match Type: League

Match No: 8

Match: Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (CSK vs RCB)

Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai

Match Date (Day): March 28, 2025 (Friday)

Official Toss Time: 19:00 local time

Official Match Start Time: 19:30 local time

See Also: IPL 2025: CSK vs RCB – Chepauk stadium stats and status preview

IPL 2025, Match 8: CSK vs RCB - Venue Stats

The MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk, Chennai) generally produces a spin-friendly wicket. In recent times, it hasn't brought many high-scoring IPL matches, while the first batting team majorly struggled the most.

• Since 2024, this venue has hosted 10 night T20 matches, where the first batting teams won only three times, and the chasing teams won seven other games. 

IPL 2025, Match 8: CSK vs RCB - Head-to-Head

• RCB won their only match against CSK in Chennai back in 2008. Since 2010, CSK have recorded straight eight wins against RCB in Chennai. However, RCB have won four other matches in Chennai where CSK weren't their opponent, once in 2011 and thrice in 2021. 
• The last four CSK vs RCB matches recorded two wins for both teams.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will play against Royal Challengers Bengaluru(RCB)  in the eighth match of IPL 2025 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Chennai just missed the playoffs, ending in fifth place, while RCB finished fourth and lost in the Eliminator.

Impact Players: Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Noor Ahmed: A talented Afghanistan spinner who could be a game-changer when bowling second, especially on spin-friendly pitch. He has 24 wickets in 23 IPL games. In the last match against MI, he showed his magical spin and took four wickets conceding 18 runs in 4 overs.

Deepak Hooda: A classic all-rounder from India who can make the batting depth for his team needs and step in as an impact sub if CSK loses early wickets.

Jamie Overton: The English pacer brings all-round skills and could be used to strengthen the batting in the first innings or bowl a few overs later.

ALSO READ: IPL 2025 CSK vs RCB : player battles to watch out

Impact Players: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

Swapnil Singh: A left-arm spinner who did well last season, taking six wickets in seven games. He also can play with the bat in lower down the order.

Suyash Sharma: A leg-spinner who might come in if the pitch helps spinners. He has played at Eden Gardens before while representing KKR.

Mohit Rathee: A middle-order batter and leg-spinner. In his last two domestic T20 matches, he scored 54 runs and took one wicket.

Devdutt Padikkal: A classic left-hand batter from India, from the past few seasons in IPL his performance has not been good but in IPL 2025, In mega auction RCB bought him. In the last match against KKR, he scored 10 runs in 10 balls. 

RCB started their IPL 2025 season with a solid win against defending champions KKR at Eden Gardens. Chasing 175, Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 59 and Phil Salt’s quickfire 56 helped them reach the target comfortably in just 16.2 overs. Twitter went crazy after RCB won their first match of IPL 2025. Fans loved Virat Kohli and Salt’s aggressive batting, and memes filled social media (Twitter) in celebration.

1st win 🤞🥹
Rajat Captaincy 🔥
Kohli-Salt Mass Rampage 🥵
Livingstone last shots🕺
Bowlers Performance 👌👌
This is RCBBBBBBB🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/elZMwKwy2w

— Nandu (@jaisantoshhhhh) March 22, 2025

Congratulations RCB for winning IPL 2025♥️♥️#RCBvKKR #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/iL4YSNb5xe

— raptorrrrr (@raptorrrr_120) March 22, 2025

ALSO READ: Kohli's Explosive innings of fifty runs set the ground for RCB in IPL 2025 opener

RCB sent shivers down the line to all the other teams of IPL. They are hungry for the trophy and played like Hungry cheetahs 🔥 Great start to the tournament. #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/9bDODdXtcQ

— Das PSPK 🦅 (@ImDas21) March 22, 2025

RCB registered thier 1st Win🔥🔥😍😍🥳🎉🎉#KingKohli #KKRvRCB #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/Ln5Suwa0yB

— Chèrrybòyᵀᵒˣᶦᶜ🃏 (@Cherryboy_1711) March 22, 2025

Gelichesam roiiii 🔥
RCB wonuuuu

It's time to party noww🥳 pic.twitter.com/tMb982P90Q

— हafsa🐰ᴰᑫ (@hafsa09876) March 22, 2025

Eden Gardens in Kolkata is ready for the first game of the IPL 2025 as the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders are hosting Royal Challengers Bengaluru (KKR vs RCB) on Saturday evening (March 22). Before the IPL 2025 opener, let's check some major things for the Dream11 selections for the KKR vs RCB match.

IPL 2025, Match 1: KKR vs RCB Predicted Playing XI

Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted Playing XI: Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Predicted Playing XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar (Captain), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma

See Also: IPL:-Kolkata Police Respond to Concerns About IPL Match Rescheduling

Things to remember in Dream 11 team selection for KKR vs RCB match 1 IPL 2025

As there is a high chance for rain interruptions during the IPL 2025 opener between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, we should have put higher Dream11 selection rates on the fiery batters and in-form bowlers. Also, we should give more importance to the all-rounders.

Key Dream11 selections for the IPL 2025 Match 1: KKR vs RCB

Kolkata Knight Riders: Favourite choices for captain and vice-captain

Sunil Narine: Due to his aggressive batting in the powerplay and experienced quality bowling in the venue, the KKR legend Sunil Narine is one of the strong names for this fixture.

Andre Russell: KKR cricketer Andre Russell is another all-rounder who becomes fit in any shorter version of the cricket match. His explosive batting and effective pace bowling can always prove to be a game changer.

Varun Chakravarthy: In-form Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy is now an important name. Although the rain-affected shorter format can affect his importance status, we can't ignore him now. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Favourite choices for captain and vice-captain

Virat Kohli: Former Indian and RCB captain Virat Kohli is always a busy batter, as the right-handed batter can still be effective in any shorter T20 match. The fans will love to see the dominance of the leading run-scorer in IPL history.

Phil Salt: Although the English cricketer Phil Salt is currently not in good form, he is always a dangerous batter in any shorter cricket format. 

Liam Livingstone: English cricketer Liam Livingstone is always a dangerous batter in a shorter format who can change the game scenario very quickly. Even his cameo can influence his batting side. Also, Livingstone is useful as a part-time spinner as he can take key wickets. 

Three-time IPL runners-up Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are hoping to create new IPL history by ending their desperate wait for the IPL trophy under the new captain. RCB will start their IPL 2025 journey in the first game of the tournament, where RCB will face the home side Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 22. 

Top-order batters

• Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal/Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar (Captain)

The leading run-scorer in IPL history and the IPL 2024 Orange Cap winner, former RCB captain Virat Kohli, is still the strongest batting name in the competition. Surely, the right-handed batter will continue to add his historic batting feat in the competition in the 2025 season.

The 24-year-old Devdutt Padikkal returns to RCB, where he shined in his first two IPL seasons by scoring 473 and 411 runs in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, respectively. While he struggled the last few IPL seasons, he returned to good form in recent domestic cricket. 

English cricketer Phil Salt is struggling to perform regularly. He struggled last January and February when England traveled to India for the white-ball series. Salt played a key role for the Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL 2024 title-winning journey when the KKR second-leading run-scorer recorded 435 runs in 12 games, including four half-centuries. 

So, we can say that Padikkal and Salt can be used alternatively in the RCB playing XI, while Salt’s appearance will majorly be dependent on RCB’s other strategies with the foreign players. 

Rajat Patidar is set to lead RCB in the IPL 2025. He was the third most run-scorer for his team in the IPL 2024 after scoring 395 runs in 13 innings with an incredible strike rate of 177.13, including five half-centuries. The 31-year-old also recorded the second most runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 (428 runs), including five half-centuries with 81 not out in the Final as the skipper of Madhya Pradesh, where Mumbai won by five wickets.   

See Also: IPL reintroduces rule to pressurize ICC to rethink about old rule

Middle-order batters

• Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya

Although the English cricketer Liam Livingstone is popular for his aggressive batting, especially famous in T20 cricket, he still has to prove his consistency with the bat in challenging Indian conditions. He is also an effective part-time spinner. 

Jitesh Sharma can play the wicketkeeper-batter role. The right-handed middle-order batter is a powerful batter who has an IPL strike rate of 151.13 after 36 innings and a 225 strike rate after six innings in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25.

The 29-year-old Australian cricketer Tim David is a powerful middle-order batter who likes to deal with sixes. 

Meanwhile, Indian cricketer Krunal Pandya can play a powerful all-rounder role for his team. He is an aggressive middle-order batter, which he has been struggling with in recent times, and a useful left-arm spinner.  

Spinner(s)

• (Krunal Pandya), Suyash Sharma

While RCB don't haven’t big names in the spin bowling options, Krunal Pandya and Liam Livingstone can have to play major spin bowling roles. The 21-year-old uncapped Indian Suyash Sharma can earn big roles, as he recorded 10 wickets in 13 IPL matches for KKR. 

Pacers

• Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi/Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal

The right-arm Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar will have to play a major role with the ball for RCB, as his experience will be key. 

South African pacer Lungi Ngidi and Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood both are strong names. Hazlewood, who is recovering from injury, has 35 wickets in 27 IPL matches, and Ngidi has picked up 25 wickets in 14 IPL games. Both can be used together in bowling, and in this case, RCB need to rearrange the four overseas names in the playing XI.

The 27-year-old Indian left-arm pacer Yash Dayal is another key Indian name in the RCB squad. He has recorded 28 wickets in 28 IPL matches, including 15 wickets in 14 games in the last IPL season. Dayal was the leading wicket-taker for RCB in the IPL 2024.  

The IPL 2025 match is set to begin with the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (KKR vs RCB) match. The first game of the IPL 2025 will be played on March 22 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. 

The three-time IPL champions KKR will face the three-time IPL runners-up RCB in the IPL 2025 opener. KKR are the defending champions for the IPL 2025 as they won the IPL 2024 title after beating SunRisers Hyderabad in the Final. 

Match Details:

Match No: 1

Match: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (KKR vs RCB)

Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Date: March 22, 2025

Time: Official match starting time 19:30 IST

Squad Update:

Kolkata Knight Riders: Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Rinku Singh, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell, Anrich Nortje, Harshit Rana, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markande, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Spencer Johnson, Luvnith Sisodia, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali, Umran Malik.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Rajat Patidar (Captain), Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethel, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chhikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee.

How to buy KKR vs RCB tickets

KKR home match tickets can be booked on the Book My Show. Notably, the sales for the fixture are already live on sale.

You can do it in a certain easy steps

Step 1: Visit https://in.bookmyshow.com and log in

Step 2: Click on the Book icon (big red) to go to the next tab.

Step 3: Select your desired stands (only among available seats) and seats according to your need and add them to the cart.

Step 4: Provide your basic contact details and confirm your tickets and whether you want them delivered or picked up free from the public box office at the venue.

Step 5: Go ahead and select your mode of payment and complete your transaction.

Ticket Prices for KKR vs RCB matches

Block G1 and H1: INR 900

Block F1: INR 2000

Block B1, Block C1, Block F, Block G, Block H, Block J, Block K1, Block L1, Block D1: INR 3500

Block B, Block C, Block D, Block E, Block K, Block L: INR 5000

Club House Upper Tier: INR 6000

Club House Lower Tier, Block L Premium: INR 10000

Block B Premium: INR 15000

Australian fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins are all ready to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, as per The Indian Express. The three had missed the Champions Trophy because of injuries but are now ready to return to the field.

Big Boost for IPL Teams

Their return is good news for their respective franchises since all three are world-class fast bowlers with significant experience in T20 cricket.

• Pat Cummins will remain the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad and will lead them right from the first match.
• Mitchell Starc, who took the IPL 2024 championship with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has joined Delhi Capitals this season.
• Josh Hazlewood, who had suffered from several injuries, will again be playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

ALSO SEE: WPL 2025 Final: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians – The Ultimate Showdown

Injury Return & Expectations

Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood all were excluded from the Champions Trophy due to various injury issues but now are well and ready for IPL 2025. Returning will strengthen their respective teams' bowling attacks and increase the intensity of the competition.

With all these key Australian pacers returning to the field, cricket enthusiasts can look forward to some exciting performances in IPL 2025!

In a development that will strengthen the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team ahead of IPL 2025, all-rounder Krunal Pandya will wear the legendary red and gold jersey. The veteran cricketer, who has been on red-hot form, is a leader with many strings to his bow and delivers match-winning performances to a team eager for their first IPL crown.

A Leader Who Delivers

Krunal has had a phenomenal two-year run, guiding his side to successive DY Patil Tournament titles in 2024 and 2025. His capacity to deliver the goods during pressure situations, both with bat and ball, made him the Player of the Series winner, which further reinforced his image as an authentic match-winner

- Captain.
- Defended the Trophy.
- Won the DY Patil Tournament in 2024 & 2025.
- Player of the series.
- All round performance with bat & ball.

KRUNAL PANDYA, THE CHAMPION WILL BE JOINING RCB SOON FOR IPL 2025 💪 pic.twitter.com/HPowGpC68l

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 5, 2025

ALSO SEE: India vs New Zealand: Head-to-Head Record in ICC Events

Not only an all-rounder, Krunal has emerged as a pressure player captain as well. Keeping a title aloft is not easy, but his coolness and keen cricketing brain took him and his team to back-to-back wins.

What He Brings to RCB

RCB's search for an IPL trophy has been frustrating and long, but Krunal's presence might prove to be a game-changer. His capability of playing in more than one role whether as a finisher, a powerplay enforcer, or a trusted left-arm spinner brings tremendous balance to the side.

With his experience and successful record in domestic and franchise cricket, RCB supporters will be expecting Krunal to bring his championship-winning form to the biggest T20 stage.

As the season of IPL 2025 draws near, everyone will be looking at how champion Krunal Pandya will fit into RCB's scheme of things. Will this be the season when Bangalore finally gets its hands on the much-coveted trophy? Fans can only wait and see! 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have named Rajat Patidar as the new captain for the IPL 2025 . Virat Kohli, the former captain and iconic figure of RCB, congratulated Patidar on his appointment, adding that he has earned the captaincy of the team.

Virat Kohil congratulated Patidar :

The Kohil stated that Patidar has earned the right to lead the team. He said that taking the franchise forward is a great honor and backed Patidar to grow stronger in his leadership journey. Kohli also praised Patidar’s evolution as a player over the past two years.

VIRAT KOHLI CONGRATULATING RAJAT PATIDAR ON RCB CAPTAINCY.

- What a beautiful video! ❤️pic.twitter.com/mSQcqdXjYa

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 13, 2025

Virat Message to Patidar as a new captain :

ALSO SEE :  Watch Now: RCB’s Special Tribute Video for Captain Rajat Patidar!

"Rajat, firstly, I want to congratulate you, wish you all the very best, and to tell you that the way you have grown in this franchise and the way you have performed, you have really made a place in the hearts of all the fans of RCB all over India, and they get really excited to watch you play. So, this is very well deserved. And I want to tell you that myself and the other team members will be right behind you, and you'll have all our support to grow into this role. Of course, it's a big responsibility. I've done this for many years and Faf's done it for the last few years and to be seen as the guy who will take this franchise forward. I'm sure it's a huge honour for you, and I'm very, very happy for you. You have earned the right to be in this position, and I'm sure you will grow from strength to strength. I've seen Rajat evolve in the last couple of years as a player. He's got the chance to play for India. His game has improved many levels in the last couple of years. The way he has led his state team as well, and the responsibility that he's taken, and he's shown everyone that he has what it takes to lead this amazing franchise. I just wish him all the very best, and I would request all the fans to show him absolute support, get right behind him, and know that he will always and always do what's best for the team, what's best for this franchise, and we must all get together and support him because. Regardless of what happens, who does what, the most important thing is the team and the most important thing is the franchise, and we all have a responsibility to work towards the growth of this amazing team and this amazing franchise. Sending my best wishes to him and sending all the fans lots of love and looking forward to seeing you all soon and looking forward to have Rajat start off the season," said Kohli.

Rajat Patidar has been appointed captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for IPL 2025, which begins on March 21. The announcement was widely expected that it would be Virat Kohli who leads RCB once again.

Patidar Captain Experence :

Patidar, 31, was one of three players RCB retained ahead of the mega auction in November. While this will be his first captaincy stint in the IPL, he captained his state team Madhya Pradesh in the 2024-25 seasons of the 20-over Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy.

RCB SPECIAL VIDEO FOR CAPTAIN RAJAT PATIDAR 👑 pic.twitter.com/jBXeQpgDb7

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 13, 2025

RCB have not won the IPL title yet, though they have been finalists three times, the last of which was in 2016. They have made the playoffs in four of the last five seasons, including in 2024.

ALSO SEE : IPL 2025: RCB announce captain

Virat on Rajat Patidar  :

“Rajat, I want to congratulate you, the way you have grown in this franchise, you have made a place in the heart of fans of RCB all over India. This is very well deserved, I tell you that myself and the other team members will be right behind you,” says Virat Kohli. “Show him absolute support, get right behind him, he will always do what's best for the team, best for the franchise.”