Royal Challengers Bengaluru have a provisional playoff berth in sight, while Chennai Super Kings are in desperate need of a morale-lifting victory. But beyond team objectives, tonight’s IPL clash offers fans a chance to witness icons Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni face off—perhaps for the last time in the league.
A win tonight would swell RCB’s tally to 16 points, nearly securing a playoff spot with three games remaining. For CSK, already eliminated from playoff contention, victory could restore pride and help them avoid finishing last.
Each team’s hopes are closely tied to the form of Kohli and Dhoni, stalwarts of Indian cricket’s golden era. At the Chinnaswamy Stadium, they will go head-to-head, both seeking to deliver for their teams.
Kohli has hit a purple patch, scoring four fifties in his last five innings and pushing towards the Orange Cap with 443 runs. He’s found reliable support in Devdutt Padikkal, who’s notched up back-to-back fifties. But Kohli will hope for more from opener Phil Salt and for captain Rajat Patidar to rediscover his early-season form.
RCB’s batting firepower will face a struggling CSK bowling lineup, with Khaleel Ahmed and Noor Ahmad being their key bowlers. On the flip side, CSK’s underperforming batters—Ayush Mhatre, Sam Curran, Dewald Brevis, and Shivam Dube—must step up against a disciplined RCB attack led by Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krunal Pandya, and Suyash Sharma.
While Dhoni’s quick cameos once lifted CSK’s totals, the top-order failures have dulled their impact this season. Still, for fans, seeing Kohli and Dhoni—once champions together—now rivals, is a nostalgic moment. Dhoni has hinted that his IPL future depends on his fitness for 2026, making tonight even more special.
RCB Squad:
Rajat Patidar (c), Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma (w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Lungi Ngidi, Liam Livingstone, Swapnil Singh, Manoj Bhandage, Rasikh Dar Salam, Nuwan Thushara, Jacob Bethell, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh.
CSK Squad:
MS Dhoni (c, wk), Shaik Rasheed, Ayush Mhatre, Deepak Hooda, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana, Anshul Kamboj, R Ashwin, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Jamie Overton, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, Shreyas Gopal, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, C Andre Siddarth, Vansh Bedi.
Match starts at 7:30 PM.
