Rajat Patidar's Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) achieved a remarkable feat by overcoming the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at their home ground, the MA Chidambaram Stadium, winning by 50 runs in Match 8 of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). CSK struggled with the bat, ultimately falling short in their pursuit of 197 runs.

Following the defeat, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad remarked that the loss was not by a significant margin, stating, "just 50." The CSK batting lineup faltered, with no player managing to establish a prolonged presence at the crease, as RCB's bowlers, including Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, and Krunal Pandya, effectively stifled the home team's efforts. This victory marked RCB's first win against CSK at Chepauk since the tournament's inception in 2008.

Gaikwad was dismissed for a duck in the opening over of the chase, failing to execute a hook shot off Hazlewood's delivery. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old expressed satisfaction that CSK did not lose by a larger margin. He noted that the pitch at Chepauk became slower and more challenging for batting in the second innings.

"Honestly, I believe 170 was a competitive score on this surface. It wasn't particularly easy to bat on. Our poor fielding significantly impacted the outcome. When chasing 170, you approach your innings differently, as you have a bit more time. However, when you need to chase an additional 20 runs on a pitch that is likely to become sticky and slow down as the ball ages, you must adjust your batting strategy during the powerplay," Gaikwad explained during the post-match presentation.

"It did become a bit slower and stickier. The new ball was gripping quite a bit for the first five overs; I'm not sure how that happened. I backed my shot, but sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. There are instances when you have a target score in mind, and when chasing an extra 20 runs, you need to stay ahead of the game. That was the mindset we had," he added.

MS Dhoni bats at No.9

In the encounter against RCB, former CSK captain MS Dhoni batted at No. 9, a decision that left both fans and analysts bewildered. Ultimately, the wicketkeeper-batter finished with an unbeaten score of 30 runs off 16 deliveries, although by the time he entered the game, the outcome was already determined.

Earlier, RCB set a target of 196/7 in their 20 overs, with standout performances from Phil Salt (32 runs off 16 balls), Rajat Patidar (51 runs off 32 balls), and Tim David (22 runs off 8 balls), all excelling on a challenging Chepauk pitch. For CSK, Noor Ahmad was the only bowler to make a significant impact, achieving figures of 3/36.

Gaikwad commented, "It's certainly a different situation when you have three world-class spinners in your lineup. You want the new batsmen to face them, as that can significantly alter the game's dynamics. They kept pushing forward, we missed crucial catches, and there were always additional sixes or boundaries following those mistakes."

He further stated, "The momentum continued without interruption until the last over. We have a long flight to Guwahati, and we need to be mentally prepared. In a tournament like the IPL, there will be days when our batting and bowling falter, but I believe we must significantly enhance our fielding and return stronger in that aspect."

Read Also: RCB's Dominance Over CSK: A Question of Batting Order

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