The 52nd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will witness Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) hosting Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on May 3. RCB will aim to extend their winning momentum, while CSK will be desperate to salvage pride in a forgettable campaign.
RCB have been one of the standout teams this season, currently sitting second on the points table with seven wins from ten games. Their recent six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals showcased their balance, with Krunal Pandya playing a vital all-round role. In stark contrast, CSK are enduring one of their worst IPL seasons.
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With only two wins in ten matches, they sit at the bottom of the standings. Their latest defeat came against the Punjab Kings, where Sam Curran’s spirited knock couldn’t save the day. Despite their current form, CSK hold the upper hand historically, having won 22 of the 33 encounters between the two sides, compared to RCB’s 11 victories.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Phil Salt missed Delhi Capitals’ last match due to a fever, and while teammate Devdutt Padikkal mentioned he’s in touch with the medical team and “should be back soon,” his availability for Saturday remains uncertain. Rain played spoilsport during RCB’s optional training session ahead of the game, though Jacob Bethell managed a brief hit between showers with under-arm feeds from the support staff.
Probable XII: Phil Salt/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
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Chennai Super Kings’ vulnerability against short-pitched bowling has been glaring this season. They average just 14.5 and have lost 12 wickets to short balls in the PowerPlay—the worst among all teams. That plays perfectly into Josh Hazlewood’s strengths, especially at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where RCB pacers claimed 3 for 12 off 19 short balls in their earlier clash at Chepauk.
RCB’s spinners have also been match-winners—taking 18 wickets at 8.06 in wins, but just one wicket in losses. With CSK’s left-handers struggling for fluency against spin, RCB’s tweakers could be key again.
Probable XII: Shaik Rasheed, Ayush Mhatre, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda, MS Dhoni (c&wk), Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
Phil Salt, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli (c), Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Dewald Brevis, Krunal Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran (vc), Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
Phil Salt, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Dewald Brevis, Krunal Pandya (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Josh Hazlewood (vc), Noor Ahmad, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
