Match Details
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will host Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 52 of IPL 2025 on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Pitch Report and Weather
The Chinnaswamy pitch is known for being batting-friendly – it has a quick outfield and short boundaries, often producing high-scoring encounters. Teams batting first or chasing can reach 200+ regularly here. For Match 52, forecasts call for light rain in the evening Rain interruptions should be brief, and dew is likely later, which tends to help the team batting second. Overall, expect a batsman-friendly surface with risk of some late-match moisture.
Head-to-Head Record
CSK have historically dominated this rivalry. In 35 IPL meetings before this match, CSK won 21 and RCB 12 (with 1 no-result). However, RCB have won the last two encounters, including the recent meeting on March 28, 2025 (RCB won by 50 runs). In Bengaluru specifically, the teams are evenly matched (5 wins each and 1 no-result in 11 games). In summary: CSK lead 21–12 overall, but RCB have momentum from consecutive wins.
Team Form and Standings
RCB have been in excellent form. They sit near the top of the table with 7 wins from 10 games (14 points, NRR +0.521). In their last 6 matches they have won 4 (only falling to Punjab Kings on Apr 18). Those recent wins include convincing victories over Punjab (Apr 20), Rajasthan (Apr 24) and Delhi (Apr 27) RCB are vying for a top-two finish and already have 14 points, positioning them just behind Mumbai and Gujarat.
CSK’s season has been disappointing. They have only 2 wins from 10 games (4 points, NRR –1.211) placing them at the bottom of the table. A mid-April resurgence saw them win four straight (Apr 20, 23, 25, 27), but a crushing 100-run loss to Rajasthan on May 1 snapped that streak. With 4 points, CSK are already out of playoff contention. In form terms, CSK won only 1 of their last 5, whereas RCB won 4 of 5. RCB’s strong momentum and home advantage contrast sharply with CSK’s struggles.
Probable Playing XIs
- RCB (likely): Phil Salt or Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma. (Salt’s fitness is a question mark; Bethell is an alternate opener.)
- CSK (likely): Shaik Rasheed, Ayush Mhatre, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda, MS Dhoni (c, wk), Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed (plus Anshul Kamboj). (CSK may shuffle their young top-order – Rasheed and Mhatre are in contention.)
These XIs combine the regular key players for each side, with RCB’s batting anchored by Kohli and Salt/Bethell, and CSK featuring a mix of established stars (Dhoni, Jadeja, Curran) and newcomers (Rasheed, Mhatre).
Key Player Battles
- Josh Hazlewood vs CSK’s openers: CSK have the worst PowerPlay batting average (14.5) and have lost more wickets to short balls than any team (12 wickets). Hazlewood’s disciplined length and short-pitched bowling have troubled CSK before, making this a critical matchup
- Virat Kohli (RCB) vs CSK bowling: Kohli is in red-hot form and has historically dominated CSK (1,098 runs in 34 IPL innings versus them). His experience and consistency make him a must-watch.
- RCB spinners (Krunal Pandya, Suyash Sharma) vs CSK left-handers: RCB’s wrist-spinners were key to their wins this season, taking 18 wickets at just 8.06 economy in victories. CSK counter with attacking lefties like Jadeja, Curran and Dube, who could target RCB’s spin. This contest – RCB’s tweakers vs CSK’s big-hitting southpaws – is crucial.
- MS Dhoni vs RCB bowlers: Dhoni historically loves Bangalore (average 81.5, SR 181 in 13 games there). RCB’s pacers (Bhuvneshwar/Hazlewood) and spinners must shut down Dhoni, or he could punish them late in the innings.
- Krunal Pandya vs Dhoni/Jadeja: An all-rounder-on-batsman matchup. Krunal’s medium-pace and spin variations will challenge CSK’s middle order, especially lefties Jadeja and Brevis who are less fluent against quality spin.
These battles – Hazlewood vs CSK’s powerplay, Kohli vs CSK’s attack, RCB spin vs CSK lefties, and Dhoni vs RCB bowling – will likely decide the game’s flow.
Fantasy Cricket Tips
For fantasy squads (Dream11, etc.), experts highlight: Captain – Virat Kohli (RCB). Kohli’s consistency (over 50 in 6 of last 10 innings) and match-winning ability make him a top pick. Vice-captain – Rachin Ravindra (CSK), as he has played solid knocks (41,65 in IPL 2025) and can anchor innings. Differential picks (high-upside, less obvious) include CSK’s rookie opener Shaik Rasheed and all-rounder Sam Curran. Rasheed has shown glimpses and could explode on debut; Curran is an X-factor (recent 88 runs vs PBKS). RCB’s left-arm seamer Yash Dayal is also a good differential: he has wicket-taking spells (2/18 vs CSK in past) despite occasional leaks. In summary, a smart fantasy combo might be: C – Kohli, VC – Ravindra; other differential picks: Rasheed, Dayal, Curran
Betting Odds and Favourite
Bookmakers strongly favor RCB. For example, Bet365 lists RCB at 8/15 (≈1.53) to win and CSK at 6/4 (≈2.50). Those odds imply roughly a 65–67% chance for RCB versus ~30–35% for CSK. Oddspedia similarly notes RCB as clear favourites (market pricing ~1.53). Even algorithmic models agree – one Google-based prediction gave RCB a 62% win probability In short, current markets and experts lean strongly toward RCB as the likely winner.
Prediction Summary
All data point to an RCB victory. RCB have home advantage, a form streak, and are priced as heavy favorites. CSK, though five-time champions, have faltered this season and can only play spoiler now. Factoring head-to-head and trends, experts overwhelmingly expect RCB to win. Our prediction: RCB to win and inch closer to the playoffs, though CSK will fight hard.
Prediction: RCB win (by a margin like 5–6 wickets or chasing in the final overs)
Sources: IPL 2025 previews, points table and stats from Cricbuzzipl; head-to-head and news from Mint; betting odds from Racing Post/Oddspedia; pitch/weather reports and fantasy tips from sports media
