IPL Match 25: Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Prediction and Preview

The giants of the IPL vs the best worst team in it. Chennai Super Kings may have looked like they were mounting a comeback, but their fizzling out against Kolkara Knight Riders was emblematic of their season so far - looking like something they can do easily but then lost because of a pathetic scoring rate that made it look like they weren’t even trying. On the other end, despite some terrible performances, Royal Challengers Bangalore have recovered their position in terms of points. They do, however, still have the worst net run rate in the league by a long way, and will need to address that as it starts to matter more and more. The rivalry between Dhoni and Kohli, and by association RCB and CSK, goes back quite a long way. Before it reignites, let’s take a look at the two rivals.

Chennai Super Kings Preview & Form

For a team that has, over the years, prided themselves on chasing down all sorts of ridiculous targets, Chennai have been terrible at it this year. Against KKR, they were set a decent target of 168, and until the halfway stage of said chase, they looked to be in pole position With Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu going strong. However, as soon as those two departed, things started falling apart. Strike rate was, as usual, a major issue as only Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja showed proper intent, and Kedar Jadav and MS Dhoni, if anything, lost the game for their side by wasting balls. We’ve said this many times and we’ll say it again: Chennai needs to address their slow batting woes. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview & Predictions

Although they’re still on the positive side of things, when Royal Challengers Bangalore have lost, it has been in spectacular fashion. Their first loss against KXIP was massive, and in their last match, chasing a formidable 196 from Delhi Capitals, they floundered and screeched to a mere 137 after their allotted overs. Only Virat Kohli could muster a 43, with the second highest scorer being Washington Sundar with a measly 17. To be fair, RCB’s batting isn’t the only thing that needs to improve - their bowling has its fair share of problems.

CSK vs RCB Match Prediction

Given Chennai’s history of resilience, they will most likely find a way to get back to at least near the top. Expect Faf du Plessis and Sam Curran to do the big hitting, while Deepak Chahar and Dwayne Bravo pick up wickets. 

RCB have been looking pretty dangerous this season, and they’ll want to come back strong after losing to DC. Expect AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli to mount the runs, while Yuzvendra Chahal and Navdeep Saini pile up the wickets.

Who will win the 25th match?

Match Prediction: Chennai Super Kings Win (1.98 @ 1XBET)

Additional Betting Tips:

• Toss - CSK

• CSK top batsman – F du Plessis

• RCB top batsman – A de Villiers

• Players with most boundaries - F du Plessis (CSK), A de Villiers (RCB)

• Players to score a fifty – S Curran/F du Plessis (CSK), A de Villiers/V Kohli (RCB) 

• Players to take most wickets - D Chahar (CSK), N Saini (RCB) 

• Most fours - CSK

• Most sixes - RCB

Can CSK slingshot past RCB for a chance of entering the playoffs ? Or will the latter’s red army overrun the CSK camp? Find out on Saturday!