Match Overview
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 52nd Match of the IPL 2025 season on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday, May 3, 2026. In their last meeting earlier this season, RCB thrashed CSK by 50 runs at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
RCB, captained by Rajat Patidar, have been one of the best teams of this season. Winning seven out of ten matches, they currently sit second in the points table with 14 points. RCB are coming off a three-match winning streak and will look to cement their playoff position after reaching the finals in 2016.
CSK’s campaign has been the complete opposite story. The five-time champions have managed two victories in eight outings and became the first team to be eliminated, officially, from IPL 2025 recently, when they lost to Punjab Kings. CSK have been let down by their top order who have played inconsistent innings in addition to a weak bowling attack, leaving CSK playing for pride and to spoil other teams’ playoff dreams.
Pitch Report – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
The surface at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium tends to favor batters, especially under lights. However, spinners could come into play as the match progresses, thanks to some grip and turn on offer. Bowling first has been a preferred strategy here, as chasing becomes easier in the second innings. Bowlers will need to be smart, bowling tight lines and using variations effectively to control the scoring.
Head-to-Head Record: RCB vs CSK
• Matches: 34
• RCB Wins: 12.
• CSK Wins: 21
• Tied: 0
• No Result: 1
• First Match: May 21, 2008
• Last Match: March 28, 2025
CSK has the statistical edge in their head-to-head meetings, but RCB came out on top in their last meeting in this season.
Probable Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) :
Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal
Impact Player : Devdutt Padikkal
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) :
Shaik Rasheed, Ayush Mhatre, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda, MS Dhoni (wk/c), Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana
Impact Player : Anshul Kamboj
Key Players to Monitor
Best Batter – Virat Kohli (RCB):
With 443 runs in 10 matches – including six fifties – this has been one of Virat Kohli’s best seasons yet. Currently sitting third in the race for the Orange Cap, Kohli comes into this match following a winning knock of 51 against the Delhi Capitals. His current form makes him a threat to the CSK bowling unit.
Best Bowler – Krunal Pandya (RCB):
Krunal Pandya has proved to be a vital addition to RCB so far this season. Pandya has taken 13 wickets in ten games at an economy of 8.62. While the pitch could turn in the spin bowlers’ favour, Pandya will have a huge role to play in the middle overs to keep the pressure on and pick up a few key wickets.
Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today’s IPL Match?
Given the current form of both teams, the balance of the RCB squad and home advantage, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are heavy favourites to come away with the win in this fixture. With two key players in Kohli and Krunal in top form, and CSK already out of contention, RCB will keep its winning streak alive and continue to boost its position in the top four.
