CSK vs RCB, IPL 2025: MS Dhoni’s masterstroke, Virat Kohli’s long wait; what happened in Chennai in last 18 years?

The long wait

RCB are not only searching for the elusive IPL trophy for the last 18 years, they are also looking for their first win in 17 years against their Southern rivals in Chennai.

RCB beat CSK in 2008, their first ever trip to Chennai under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid. Virat Kohli was an uncapped cricketer at that time. After 18 years of playing International cricket and scoring more than 27,000 International runs, that win in the summer of 2008 remains as the only win for RCB in Chennai. Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, RCB tried to break the streak under 4 different captains and failed every single time. It will be a big feather in the cap, if Rajat Patidar manages to breach the fortress in just his 2nd game as captain.

2008, Anil Kumble’s heroics in a low-scoring thriller

RCB could only manage a below par 126/8, thanks to captain Rahul Dravid’s 47 off 39 balls. Anil Kumble, another Bengaluru boy, took 3/15 in his 4 overs and grounded the CSK juggernaut from 60/0 in 9 overs to 112/8.

2010, Chennai boy Murali Vijay delivers for CSK

CSK were on a four-game losing streak, three of those being away games. Pressure was mounting on the eventual champions and the local lad took matters into his own hands. Chasing 162, Murali Vijay smoked 78 off 39, comprising 4 fours and 6 sixes. He went on to score 127 off 56 against the Rajasthan Royals in the following game.

2011, Mr. Cricket triumphs Mr. 360

Michael Hussey’s unbeaten 83 powered CSK to a match winning 183/5. RCB fell short by 21 runs, as AB de Villiers 65 off 44 proved to be inadequate.

2011 Final, Murali Vijay’s magic and MS Dhoni’s masterstroke

The two sides met once again in the final, the only meeting between MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli in the final of the Indian Premier League. The tormentors of the previous two wins in Chennai, Murali Vijay and Michael Hussey, combined to demolish RCB in a one-sided affair. The duo added 159 for the first wicket in 15 overs and powered CSK to a massive total of 205/5. RCB could only manage 147/8, the highlight being the wicket of Chris Gayle in the very first over of the chase. Dhoni’s decision to start with Ravichandran Ashwin paid instant rewards. CSK became the first team to achieve the IPL double.

2012, Albie Morkel smashes Virat Kohli in the penultimate over

The introduction of impact player rule practically eliminated the concept of part-timers bowling a over or two. Daniel Vettori and his deputy Virat Kohli weren’t afforded this luxury in 2012. Raju Bhatkal, RCB’s 5th bowler had already conceded 35 runs in his two overs. Vettori summoned his deputy to bowl one over and Kohli did an admirable job by just conceding 8 runs. Vettori rolled the dice once more by making Kohli to bowl the 19th over, with CSK needing 43 from 12 balls. Albie Morkel, the big-hitting South African all-rounder scored an incredible 28 runs off the over. 4, 6, 4, 6, 2, 6 was the ball-by-ball summary of the penultimate over.

2013, The birth of Sir Jadeja

CSK hosted RCB after one year and one day at the fortress. RCB scored 165/6, thanks to AB de Villiers’ 32-ball 64. Dhoni, Raina and Badrinath, all got into the thirties and got out. The onus was on Jadeja to keep the proud record in check and he delivered it in the most dramatic fashion. Needing 2 from the final ball, Jadeja played the upper cut straight to the third man fielder, only for the umpires to intervene. RP Singh, the former India and RCB pacer overstepped. Jadeja and Chris Morris ran a single so that they could force a super over in the event of a tie and the single turned out to be the winning run. CSK won by 4 wickets with a ball and a few inches to spare.

2015: Battle of the left-arm pacers

Mitchell Starc’s 3/24 in his four overs kept CSK to a below par 148/9. Suresh Raina top scored for CSK with 52 off 46. CSK had their own left-arm pacer Ashish Nehra and Nehra in combination with Ishwar Pandey and Dwayne Bravo delivered a 24-run victory.

2019 & 2024: One-sided season openers

Defending champions CSK hosted RCB in the season opener in 2019 and 2024. RCB were bowled out for 70 in 2019 and the result was a foregone conclusion, just at the halfway stage. RCB did have a better outing with the bat in 2024, but the 173 wasn’t going to be enough in a belter of a Chennai pitch.

Right-hander heavy RCB batting line-up will be up against the spin trio of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad. Rajat Patidar averages 112 and strikes at 197 against spinners since IPL 2024. 138 of his 224 runs against spinners have come through sixes, a mind-boggling 62% of the total runs. Virat Kohli has a fifty against all the opponents in IPL since 2023, barring CSK. Virat Kohli, the only player to be part of all those 8 defeats against CSK in Chennai will be raring to end the streak.