Historic Victory as RCB Ends 17-Year Drought Against CSK at Chepauk
RCB Crush CSK by 50 Runs, End 17-Year Chepauk Drought
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their 17-year winless streak at Chepauk, securing a dominant 50-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Southern Derby on Friday. Led by Rajat Patidar’s crucial fifty and a disciplined bowling effort, RCB outclassed the five-time champions on their home turf.
CSK Falter in Chase After Early Collapse
Chasing 197, CSK suffered an early batting collapse, losing skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (0) and Rahul Tripathi (5) within the first two overs. Josh Hazlewood (3/21) dealt a double blow, dismissing Gaikwad and Tripathi, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Deepak Hooda (0), leaving CSK reeling at 8/3.
Despite a 41-run knock by Rachin Ravindra, CSK never recovered from the early setbacks. The middle-order crumbled as Liam Livingstone (2/28) and Yash Dayal (2/18) tightened the noose.
Veteran MS Dhoni (30 off 16)* fought back, surpassing Suresh Raina as CSK’s highest IPL run-scorer, but his late fireworks were too little, too late. CSK finished at 146/8, handing RCB a historic win at Chepauk.
RCB’s Batting Led by Patidar and David
Earlier, RCB posted 196/7, thanks to Rajat Patidar’s 51 off 32 balls and a late flourish from *Tim David (22 off 8)**.
Openers Phil Salt (32 off 16) and Devdutt Padikkal (27 off 14) gave RCB a blazing start, while Virat Kohli (31 off 30) struggled for momentum.
CSK’s Noor Ahmad (3/36) and Matheesha Pathirana (2/36) managed to slow RCB down in the middle overs, but David’s late hitting ensured a competitive total.
RCB’s Clinical Bowling Seals Historic Win
RCB’s bowlers executed their plans to perfection, with Hazlewood, Dayal, and Livingstone making regular breakthroughs. Suyash Sharma (0/32) also played a key role in containing the CSK batters.
This emphatic win marks RCB’s first victory at Chepauk since 2008, and the relief was evident on Virat Kohli’s face, the only player in the current squad who was part of that distant win.
Brief Scores:
✅ RCB: 196/7 in 20 overs (Rajat Patidar 51, Virat Kohli 31, Phil Salt 32, Tim David 22; Noor Ahmad 3/36, Pathirana 2/36).
✅ CSK: 146/8 in 20 overs (Rachin Ravindra 41, MS Dhoni 30; Josh Hazlewood 3/21, Yash Dayal 2/18, Liam Livingstone 2/28).
