Massive Issues For CSK As Arch-Rivals RCB Humiliate Them At Fortress Chepauk

Hooda and Tripathi’s non-contribution a massive problem

4 innings batted together. 20 balls faced. 14 runs scored. Combined average of 3.5. 

Rahul Tripathi (3.40 crore) and Deepak Hooda (1.70 crore) were both relatively cheap buys, but two games into the season, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been left handicapped by their non-contribution at the top of the order. 

The Super Kings got away with Hooda and Tripathi’s no-show against MI because of the small target, but the pair’s ‘ghosting’ cost them big time against RCB in a chase of 197. Tripathi (5 off 3) was gone in a flash, while Hooda (4 off 9) endured a painful stay at the middle, looking absolutely clueless against both Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar before nicking off to the latter. 

CSK are already having to carefully ‘protect’ Dhoni and manage his entry points, which has partially tied their hands. They can’t afford to carry two more passengers in the line-up. Both Hooda and Tripathi might just have one more game to save their spot in the starting XI. 

Josh Hazlewood might just be the best overseas signing of the season

Early days, but Josh Hazlewood already looks like the best signing any team made at the IPL 2025 mega auction. RCB purchased him for INR 12.5 crore, and, thus far, Hazlewood has performed like an INR 25 crore player.

The Aussie superstar set the tone in RCB’s clash against KKR, conceding just 8 off 2 overs while taking the huge wicket of Quinton de Kock. Hazlewood went one better today, conceding just 6 runs in the powerplay while striking twice. And one of the two wickets turned to be the scalp that completely turned the clash in RCB’s favour - Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Gaikwad’s last 7 scores at Chepauk before today read 53, 42*, 62, 98, 108*, 67* & 46. Yet on the night, the CSK skipper was sent packing for a duck by the big Aussie quick.

Hazlewood has now bowled 8 overs in IPL 2025, and he’s taken 5 wickets at an average of 8.6 and economy of 5.4. Jeeeeeez!

Rajat Patidar makes the most of his lucky day

Put down first on 17, dropped again on 19, dropped AGAIN on 20. 

Rajat Patidar certainly had extraordinary luck at Chepauk today, with CSK’s fielding being shockingly bad. 

However, Patidar made the most of his luck and struck a fine fifty that set up the game for the Royal Challengers. Patidar kept swinging and kept getting away with it initially, but he soon found his groove and made CSK pay for their mistakes. Once his rhythm got better, Patidar got stuck into the CSK bowlers and eventually finished with 51 off 32 balls. 

Tim David’s final flourish a massive plus for RCB

A lot of things went right for RCB today, but nothing will please them more than the finishing touches provided by Tim David. The penultimate over of RCB’s innings went for just 1 run, and at 177/7, it looked like the visitors might finish on a low after having looked good for 200 at one point. 

But David absolutely obliterated Sam Curran in the final over, going 6 6 6, showcasing brute power. 

David finished on 22* off 8 balls, and his onslaught helped RCB finish the first innings on a high at 196/7. As it turned out, they carried on the momentum and overpowered CSK with the ball in the powerplay.

Even if David can make significant contributions in 3-4 games in the group stages, it will go a long way in RCB making it to the playoffs.