RCB Ends 17-Year Drought at Chepauk with Dominant 50-Run Win; Dhoni’s Batting Position Raises Questions

In a commanding display at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured a historic 50-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 28, 2025. This win marked RCB's first triumph at Chepauk since 2008, breaking a 17-year drought at CSK's home ground.

Match Summary:

RCB, opting to bat first, posted a formidable total of 196/7. Captain Rajat Patidar led from the front with a vital 51 off 32 balls, while opener Phil Salt provided a brisk start, scoring 32 off 16 deliveries. Despite some resistance from CSK's bowlers, including Noor Ahmad's impressive 3-wicket haul, RCB's batting depth ensured a challenging target for the hosts.

In response, CSK's chase faltered early, with RCB's pace attack, spearheaded by Josh Hazlewood (3/21), dismantling the top order. CSK found themselves reeling at 30/3 during the powerplay and couldn't recover, eventually finishing at 146/8. MS Dhoni provided a late flourish, remaining unbeaten with a quickfire 30 off 16 balls, including two sixes and a four, but it wasn't enough to alter the outcome.

Controversy Over Dhoni's Batting Position:

Dhoni's decision to bat at number nine sparked widespread debate among fans and cricket pundits. Former cricketers Robin Uthappa and Irfan Pathan questioned the tactical move, suggesting that promoting Dhoni higher up the order could have positively impacted CSK's innings. Uthappa remarked, "Dhoni coming at number 9 didn't make sense at all. Him coming earlier could have helped CSK’s NRR in their campaign this year."

Similarly, Virender Sehwag and Manoj Tiwary expressed concerns over the rationale behind Dhoni's late entry. Sehwag noted that Dhoni might have set a personal limit on the number of balls he faces, while Tiwary urged the CSK management to address the issue publicly.

CSK's Home Advantage Questioned:

CSK's head coach, Stephen Fleming, voiced frustration over the team's inability to adapt to the Chepauk pitch conditions. He highlighted that the unpredictable nature of the surface has diminished their home advantage in recent seasons. Fleming stated, "We haven't been able to read the wickets here in the last couple of years... We're having to work really hard to try and understand what the nature of each pitch is, and it's quite different."

Conclusion:

RCB's emphatic win at Chepauk not only ended a 17-year winless streak at CSK's fortress but also raised pertinent questions about CSK's strategies and home ground preparations. As the IPL 2025 season progresses, both teams will need to address these challenges to bolster their campaigns.