Chennai Super Kings Fall Short Against Royal Challengers in Key Match

CHENNAI, India — In a disappointing outing at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were unable to overcome a challenging target of 197, ultimately losing to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 50 runs on March 28, 2025. CSK’s captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, expressed his disappointment, stating that chasing such a high score on a ‘sticky’ pitch was not ideal.

After being put to bat first, RCB managed to set a formidable target, largely thanks to a strong performance by their batters. CSK’s early order struggled, quickly finding themselves at 26 for 3, which Gaikwad said ultimately skewed their batting strategy. “To be honest, I still feel 170 was a par score on this wicket,” Gaikwad commented during the post-match presentation. He emphasized the impact of CSK’s fielding errors on the game’s outcome, recognizing that these mishaps kept pressure off the opposition.

RCB’s captain benefitted significantly from CSK’s fielding blunders. Key drops by Deepak Hooda and Rahul Tripathi allowed RCB’s batters to build momentum, with Rajat Patidar cementing his performance with a top score of 51 runs off just 32 balls. “We dropped catches at crucial times, and there was always an extra six or extra boundary that was coming after that,” Gaikwad noted, illustrating how fielding errors shifted the game’s momentum away from CSK.

CSK’s response to the target was fraught with challenges, as both Gaikwad and Tripathi were dismissed early while attempting to play aggressive shots off Josh Hazlewood. Gaikwad remarked on the pressure of the climbing target: “When you’re chasing 20 runs extra, you always want to be a step ahead of the game.” However, this strategy did not pan out, resulting in CSK’s collapse at a critical juncture.

While reflecting on the match, Gaikwad highlighted the inevitability of such defeats in the IPL’s grueling schedule, maintaining a balanced perspective on CSK’s performance. “Definitely you’re going to have a bad day batting and bowling but I feel the fielding has to improve a lot,” he said. As CSK looks toward their next match against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on Sunday, Gaikwad stressed the importance of addressing their weaknesses and regaining focus for upcoming challenges.