Top 3 Greatest CSK Vs RCB Matches In IPL History: The Chennai Super Kings will take on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025 today. Not only are these two of the most popular teams in world cricket, but they also have a deep rivalry that is at the root of their storied history.
CSK are five-time champions of the Indian Premier League, making them the most successful team in league history. On the other hand, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have made it to the playoffs on several occasions, including three appearances in the final, but they have never won the league despite their quality and popularity.
These two teams also have a long-running rivalry. Being two of only three teams from the southern region of India, they have incredibly loyal fanbases who always want their team to trump the other.
Today, we will look back at three of the greatest matches between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. These are the top 3 greatest CSK vs RCB matches in IPL history.
Top 3 Greatest CSK Vs RCB Matches In IPL History
3) RCB Vs CSK – Ranchi (2015): Match 59 (Qualifier 2)
Far cry from the uber-attacking matches in 2024, this qualifier 2 of IPL 2025 between CSK and RCB was a game played between two bowling attacks. A low-scoring thriller in Ranchi, the winner of this game would play the Mumbai Indians in the final.
The Super Kings, who had already faced and lost to MI earlier in the playoffs, won the toss and decided to bowl first. The biggest news from RCB’s batting was how CSK was able to contain Chris Gayle, who took 23 deliveries to score 41 runs before getting out. A late flourish by a young Sarfaraz Khan (31 off 21) took the team to 139/8 in 20 overs.
In response, Chennai struggled as well. But ‘Mr Cricket’ Michael Hussey anchored the CSK innings, scoring a brilliant half-century and taking his team close to the target. But with 32 runs needed in the last 3.3 overs, Hussey got out. Pawan Negi and MS Dhoni took the team even closer, but then two wickets fell in the 19th over.
With only five required in the last over, it seemed that CSK would win with ease. Dhoni even scored four in the first three balls to bring the score level. But then,. He got out, leaving no proper batter on the crease. With one run required in the last two deliveries, Ashwin took the single and sent the Chennai Super Kings in the final, with Ashish Nehra being named the Player of the Match for his fine four-over spell of 3/28.
Check Out: Top 3 Greatest CSK Vs RCB Matches In IPL History
2) RCB Vs CSK – Bengaluru (2018): Match 24
As opposed to the previous match on this list, this is a high-scoring encounter. This was the first CSK vs RCB match in two years, as the Super Kings came to the league after a two-season suspension. CSK won the toss and decided to bowl first on a batting-friendly pitch.
While Virat Kohli got out quickly, Quinton de Kock and AB de Villiers took on the attacking duties with their 100+ partnership in about nine overs. A strong finish by Mandeep Singh and Washington Sundar took RCB past the 200-run mark to 205/8 in 20 overs.
In response, the Super Kings took four wickets in the first ten overs but maintained a good run rate because of Ambati Rayudu, who ended up scoring 82 off 53. He, along with MS Dhoni, kept the run rate up. By the time Rayudu got out, CSK needed a very gettable 31 runs in 13 deliveries.
But it was not Rayudu who was named Player of the Match, but skipper Dhoni, who played a memorable knock of 70 in 34 deliveries. With 16 needed in the final over, Dwayne Bravo went berserk, scoring 10 in the first two balls. He then gave the strike to Dhoni with five required in three. The captain did not wait too long and hit a six on the first ball he faced in that over, winning his team the match.
1) RCB Vs CSK – Bengaluru (2019): Match 39
This match did not have too big of an impact on this season. For it to still be named the greatest CSK vs RCB match of all time must mean this one was special, and it was.
For the third time on this list, it was the Chennai Super Kings who won the toss and decided to bowl first. With the home team batting first, captain Virat Kohli was disappointed and got out cheaply. AB de Villiers then stabilised the inning with opener Parthiv Patel, but he too scored just 25. This inning saw Parthiv build partnerships with incoming batters, the next being one with Akshdeep Nath.
By the time Patel got out for 53 off 27, RCB had scored 124 in almost 16 overs. It was Moeen Ali’s quickfire 26 runs in the end that took the team to 161/7 in 20 overs.
Chennai’s inning, in response, got off to a horrid start. They lost four wickets in the powerplay at a score of 29. Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni, for the second time on this list, grabbed the bull by its horns and took their inning forward. By the time Rayudu fell for run a ball 29, CSK had only scored 83/5 in 13 overs. Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo went for cheap too.
The best performer of the match was Dhoni, who alone kept the match alive and ended up scoring his highest IPL high score, 84* off 48 deliveries. Towards the end, 26 runs were required in the last over with MS on strike, who scored 16 runs in the first three balls. With 10 required in three, he took a double and then a six to Umesh Yadav.
With only two required on the last ball and Dhoni in the form of his life, Umesh bowled it a little wide, and the CSK captain missed. He ran for a single as RCB keeper Parthiv Patel collected the ball, aimed for the wickets, and hit his target, running Shardul Thakur out and winning the match for his team by one run. For his fine inning and his clutch run out, Parthiv was named the Player of the Match.
Check Out: Top 3 Greatest CSK Vs RCB Matches In IPL History
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