Introduction: RCB vs CSK
The clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 18, 2025, lived up to every bit of its hype. Packed stands, electrifying energy, and two of the biggest teams in the Indian Premier League going head-to-head—it was everything a cricket fan could ask for.
RCB, backed by their loyal home crowd, pulled off a clinical run-chase to beat CSK by 7 wickets. While Virat Kohli stole the show with a match-winning 96*, MS Dhoni turned back the clock with a classic finish that reminded everyone why he’s still a force to reckon with.
Let’s take a look at how the match unfolded—along with the full scorecard and standout moments.
Table of Contents
Match Summary
- Date: April 18, 2025
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Toss: RCB won the toss and chose to bowl
- Result: RCB won by 7 wickets
- Player of the Match: Virat Kohli – 96* (58 balls)
Chennai Super Kings’ Innings: Dhoni Leads the Charge
Batting first, Chennai got off to a lively start. Devon Conway was in top form, timing the ball beautifully and putting pressure on the RCB bowlers early. He scored 48 off 34 balls before falling to Karn Sharma.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane couldn’t stay at the crease for long, but MS Dhoni walked in and immediately shifted gears. Calm and composed, he anchored the innings while finding the boundary with precision. His unbeaten 57 off 38 was a perfect blend of experience and aggression. Shivam Dube chipped in with a handy 27, while young Nishant Sindhu added a quick cameo at the end.
Chennai finished at 193/5, a total that looked competitive, especially with their bowling attack.
CSK Batting Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | How Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devon Conway | 48 | 34 | 5 | 1 | c Kohli b Karn Sharma |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 29 | 23 | 4 | 0 | c Maxwell b Harshal Patel |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 8 | 9 | 1 | 0 | lbw b Siraj |
| MS Dhoni (c) | 57* | 38 | 4 | 3 | Not Out |
| Shivam Dube | 27 | 17 | 2 | 2 | c Prabhudessai b Parnell |
| Nishant Sindhu | 13* | 8 | 1 | 1 | Not Out |
RCB Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Parnell | 4 | 38 | 1 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 4 | 41 | 1 |
| Harshal Patel | 4 | 35 | 1 |
| Karn Sharma | 4 | 34 | 1 |
| Shahbaz Ahmed | 4 | 45 | 1 |
RCB’s Chase: A Kohli Classic Under Lights
Chasing 194 under pressure isn’t easy, but when Virat Kohli is in full flow, it suddenly seems possible. Though skipper Faf du Plessis departed early, Kohli took the reins and never let go.
Partnering with Rajat Patidar (32), he kept the scoreboard ticking with smart rotation and timely boundaries. Kohli’s shot selection was flawless—crisp drives, wristy flicks, and a few big sixes kept the crowd roaring.
Glenn Maxwell added a quick 21 before being run out, and after a brief wobble, Dinesh Karthik came in to steady things with an important 11 not out. Kohli remained unbeaten on 96 off 58, taking RCB home with three balls to spare.
RCB Batting Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | How Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faf du Plessis | 17 | 13 | 2 | 0 | lbw b Jadeja |
| Virat Kohli | 96* | 58 | 10 | 4 | Not Out |
| Rajat Patidar | 32 | 23 | 4 | 1 | c Dhoni b Pathirana |
| Glenn Maxwell | 21 | 16 | 2 | 1 | Run Out (Jadeja) |
| Mahipal Lomror | 11 | 9 | 1 | 0 | c Conway b Chahar |
| Dinesh Karthik | 11* | 6 | 1 | 0 | Not Out |
CSK Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deepak Chahar | 4 | 42 | 1 |
| Matheesha Pathirana | 4 | 38 | 2 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 4 | 33 | 1 |
| Mitchell Santner | 4 | 36 | 0 |
| Simarjeet Singh | 4 | 31 | 1 |
Match Highlights & Takeaways
Virat Kohli: The Chase Master
Kohli’s innings wasn’t just about power—it was about class. His calm presence, smart shot selection, and control over the chase showed why he’s still one of the best in the business. This was Kohli at his finest.
Dhoni’s Vintage Touch
MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 57 reminded fans of his golden days. He calculated the chase perfectly, absorbed pressure, and found the boundary just when CSK needed it. Even in 2025, he’s still ice-cool under pressure.
Key Bowling Spells
Matheesha Pathirana stood out for CSK, taking two key wickets and bowling with raw pace. For RCB, Harshal Patel and Karn Sharma picked up crucial wickets that slowed CSK’s momentum in the middle overs.
Fielding: Mixed Bag
Fielding was a bit sloppy from CSK—they dropped Patidar early, which proved costly. RCB, on the other hand, was sharper on the field, with a well-executed run-out and solid catching in the deep.
What It Means for the Points Table
This win gave RCB a big push up the ladder, moving them into third place with 14 points from 14 games. With the playoffs just around the corner, every win counts.
For CSK, this was a tough loss. It marked their fourth defeat in a row, leaving them in sixth place and needing to win their remaining matches to stay in playoff contention.
Final Thoughts
Another RCB vs CSK thriller, another chapter in their long-standing rivalry. This match had everything—big names stepping up, nerves under pressure, and a packed stadium eating up every moment.
Virat Kohli reminded everyone why he’s still “King Kohli,” and MS Dhoni proved once again that form is temporary, but class is forever. It was a game full of heart and hustle, and one fans won’t forget anytime soon.
