Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL, 2026 Apr 5 Full score card

OUT! CAUGHT! That's it. Royal Challengers Bengaluru complete a commanding win and make it four in a row against CSK. Abhinandan Singh bends his back and digs it in short, over middle. Henry gives himself room and takes on the short ball. He does not get the desired distance on it. Phil Salt is quick across the turf at deep mid-wicket as he charges across to his right and slides to take a good, low grab. Smiles and hugs all around in the RCB camp.

Singh lands it on a hard length, on off. Anshul attempts the pull but gets it high on the bat. It lobs towards mid off for a single.

Gets the yorker in, on middle and leg. Henry bunts it through mid-wicket and crosses over.

Low full toss, on middle. Kamboj carves it towards extra cover for a single.

Last over coming up now. It will be bowled by Abhinandan Singh.

Looped up, yorker, on middle. AK digs it out behind square leg for one more run.

SIX! Kamboj gets just enough on it. Back-of-the-hand slower ball by Duffy, into the strip, outside off. Anshul picks the change of pace and waits on it before pulling it over the man at deep square leg for a six. The fielder in the deep thought he was in business, but in the end, he watched the ball sail over his head.

Duffy bashes the hard length, on off. Henry stands tall and flat bats it back over the bowler's head. He does not quite get hold of it and the sub fielder, Jacob Bethell mops it up in the deep at long off by moving to his right. Just a single.

Jacob executes the yorker to perfection, on middle. Anshul cannot do anything about it. He jams it out through mid-wicket for another single.

Very full, angled in, on middle and leg. Anshul Kamboj drops his bat down and squeezes out an inside edge onto the pads.

FOUR! Streaky! Duffy bangs it in short, keeping it away from the batter. Kamboj has a swipe across the line by getting on his toes. The ball balloons over the keeper off a top edge before racing away.

Wide! Lands it on a good length, beyond the tramline. Kamboj swings and misses.

OUT! CAUGHT! Wicket number 3 for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. It's that slower, short ball again. Leg-cutter, near the tramline on off. Noor Ahmad is made to reach out and he swings at it. Ends up dragging it towards wide long on. Virat Kohli covers a lot of ground to his right and gobbles it up with ease.

Matt Henry is the last man in.

Wide! Slower bouncer, well wide on off, beyond the tramline. Noor Ahmad walks across the stumps and throws his hands at the ball but misses.

On a good length, on top of off. Anshul Kamboj does not get the room to free his arms and he hits it down to long off for one.

Kumar bowls it short and wide on off. Noor flays it down to deep point for a single.

SIX! Nicely struck! Knuckleball, on a good length, on off and middle. Noor stays leg side of the ball and swings for the hills. Powers it over long on for a six.

On a length, another slower ball, on off. Noor has a heave across the line but gets an inside edge to short fine leg.

Serves it full, on off. Anshul chips it back over the bowler's head for a single.

Angled into the pads, Noor misses out on the flick and wears it on the pads.

Oh, just over the stumps! Looped up, it is the googly, on off and middle. Noor plays all over it but luckliy for him, the bounce takes the ball over the sticks.

Pushed through, on a good length, on middle. Noor taps it back to the bowler.

PUT DOWN! Abhinandan Singh has made a mess of it. Another wrong'un, a bit too short, outside off. Anshul Kamboj throws the kitchen sink at it. The ball lobs off a thickish outside edge to backward point, where Abhinandan almost ends up getting too close to the ball. He tries to take it in reverse cup style but fails to cling on. They cross.

Flat and short, on middle. Noor swipes it away to long on and takes a single.

There goes the last hope for CSK. Noor Ahmad comes out to the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Jamie Overton holes out. RCB's Impact Sub gets himself on the wickets column. Out comes the googly, on the shorter side, on off. Overton backs away and exposes all three stumps. He looks to launch it down the ground with a horizontal bat. Jamie gets the height but not the distance. It goes only as far as long off, where the sub fielder, Jacob Bethell, settles under it and does the rest.

Will Suyash Sharma bowl out? Yes, he will.

Keeps it nice and full, not allowing the batter to get under the ball. Jamie hits it down to long on and keeps the strike with a single.

At the sticks, on a length, this is smeared to long on for another single.

On a length, on off. Overton comes forward and plays it down to long off for one.

NO BALL, FOUR! Bhuvneshwar Kumar brings the man at square leg up and pushes the man at point back. He does not go for the yorker, instead goes for the yorker at the toes. Overton squeezes out an inside edge past square leg for a four. Uh, oh, Bhuvi has overstepped. Free Hit to follow...

FOUR! Thumped! Bhuvi takes pace off and goes into the surface but offers width on off. Overton frees his arms and cracks it away to the right of deep point for a boundary.

Nearly another! Kamboj could not have placed it any better. Seemed like the leg-cutter, on a good length, honing in on the off stump. Anshul looks to work it away on the leg side but the ball holds in the surface and kicks up a bit too. He chips it uppishly but it lands right between cover and mid off. They cross.

Strategic Break! Bhuvneshwar Kumar has picked up a wicket at a crucial time for RCB, just when Prashant Veer was starting to look dangerous. The hosts are ahead in this game, and CSK's only hope now is Jamie Overton, but he also needs to bring out something really special to get them out of this hole. However, the closer they can get to the total, the more they will avoid taking a big hit on their NRR, which is already not that great. Also, Anshul Kamboj walks out to bat now.

OUT! TAKEN! Bhuvneshwar Kumar strikes on his return to the attack. A fine grab by Rajat Patidar. Pushed across the left-hander, on a good length. Veer does not move his feet and extends his hands into the lofted hit, aiming to go over cover. The ball hits him high on the bat, and it is spooned towards extra cover, where Rajat Patidar moves to his left swiftly and dives to take the catch. Prashant Veer's vigil comes to an end.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2-0-18-1) is back.

Another short ball, on off, Prashant Veer forces it down to long on for one more. 86 needed in 30 balls.

A googly, full and on middle and leg, turns away a bit. Prashant Veer goes down for the sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is a loud shout for LBW, but turned down. Rajat Patidar has a chat with his keeper, but decides against the review.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Flighted, full and just on off. Prashant Veer crouches a bit low, gets under the ball and thumps it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Dragged back and around off, Jamie Overton slaps it to long off for a run.

Googly, on a length, Veer taps it wide of cover. A misfield allows the batters to complete the single comfortably.

Angled in, on a nagging length. That is punched off the back foot through mid-wicket for a single.

NOT OUT! Krunal Pandya sees the batter move across again and bangs in a bouncer, on off. Prashant Veer ducks under it but loses his balance and is out of his crease. Jitesh Sharma grabs it well above his head and breaks the stumps in a flash, but Prashant Veer has great presence of mind to put his hand behind the crease in time. The replay confirms the same.

Stumping check! Superb awareness from Prashant Veer. He is in!

FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Krunal Pandya delivers this with that low-arm action, short and outside off again. Prashant Veer slashes hard at it. Gets a thick bottom edge that races past short third for a boundary.

This is bowled at 111.4 kph, short and around off, angling away. Prashant Veer tries to cut it away but misses.

FOUR! Wow...that is some shot from the youngster! Krunal Pandya sees the batter move across and follows him. He fires this full and outside off. Prashant Veer winds up for the scoop, but adjusts to the line and length of the ball and ends up whipping it away between long on and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

SIX! Superb shot! Floated delivery, full and just on off. Prashant Veer clears his front leg out of the way and tonks it over the long on fence for a biggie.

FOUR! Powered away! Krunal Pandya bowls with the round-arm action, quicker and shorter, outside off. Prashant Veer gets his hands through the shot and uses the pace to crunch it through covers for a boundary.

Will Romario Shepherd continue? Nope. He has been replaced by Krunal Pandya. 2-0-18-2 so far for Krunal.

Quicker and shorter around leg. Prashant Veer looks to swipe it away but ends up gloving it towards short fine for one more. A couple of quiet overs from Suyash. CSK need 112 runs in 42 balls now.

Floated, full and on off, Prashant Veer strides out and pushes it to short cover.

Short again and on off, Jamie Overton backs away and cuts it away to deep point for a run.

Drops it short and on middle, Prashant Veer flicks it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Quicker wrong'un short and around off, turns away. Prashant Veer tries to guide it away but misses.

Tossed up, full and on off, Prashant Veer prods forward and taps it to the off side.

Fuller and around off, slower as well, Prashant Veer drills it to sweeper cover for one more. 19 runs off the over!

Fuller one and on middle, Jamie Overton shows the full face of the bat and plays a fine straight drive back past the bowler. Virat Kohli from long on moves to his left and puts in the dive. He parries the ball towards Rajat Patidar, who comes in from long off to keep it down to just one.

FOUR! A boundary now! Romario Shepherd bangs this into the pitch, on middle, pace on. Jamie Overton goes for the pull but gets a bit hurried. It takes the top edge and goes over square leg for four runs.

SIX! Back-to-back sixes! Short of a length and outside off, takes pace off. Jamie Overton reads it early. He waits for it before extending his arms to reach out for it and swats it over the long off fence for half a dozen more.

SIX! Gets hold of that one! Touch fuller and on middle. Jamie Overton gets one in his hitting arc. He gets under it and dispatches it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Good length and on middle and leg, Prashant Veer nudges it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Romario Shepherd has been called into the attack. 6th bowling option of the night for RCB.

Flighted, full and on middle, Prashant Veer drills it to long off for one more.

Another googly, full and on off, turns away. Prashant Veer gets forward and guides it away to backward point.

Dragged back, on middle and leg, Jamie Overton flicks it away to deep mid-wicket for another run.

FOUR! Gets it away! Flatter and shorter, around off. Jamie Overton backs away and opens the face of the ball to steer it away wide of short third. Abhinandan Singh dives to his right, but over the ball and lets it through for a boundary.

Floated, short and on leg, Prashant Veer nudges it through square leg for a run.

Wrong'un, short and on middle, turns in, Jamie Overton tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

RCB bring on Suyash Sharma as their Impact Sub, replacing Devdutt Padikkal. The leggie is into the action straight away.

Devdutt Padikkal is substituted by Suyash Sharma

Pitched up, on middle. Overton pushes it to long on for a single.

Phil Salt on the opening night and Jitesh Sharma tonight, two superlative catches from RCB early in the season. Out goes Shivam Dube and in walks Jamie Overton.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! That is a special, special catch from Jitesh Sharma. One for the archives and a contender for the catch of the season. Abhinandan Singh hits the length hard and just around off, skids through once again. Shivam Dube stays back and tries to swing it away, but gets a bit late on the shot. It goes off the underedge behind. Jitesh Sharma takes a couple of steps to his left, but adjusts brilliantly to fling his body to the other side, grabbing onto the ball with his outstretched right glove just inches above the ground. The umpires want to check whether the ball carried or not, and the replay shows that it is a clean take. All the RCB players go up to Jitesh for his superb effort here.

Skidding through, Singh goes short, over middle. Dube pivots on the back foot for the pull but is rushed and he miscues it to cover.

Pulls the length back, outside off. Shivam plays it late towards deep third and turns the strike over.

Very full, on leg. Dube wrists it through square leg for another single.

Tucking the batter up for room with a hard-length delivery. Prashant clips it to the right of deep square leg and takes the first run hard but Dube is not interested in the second run.

Strategic Break! A very eventful first 9 overs in the chase. CSK may have lost 5 wickets, but they have managed to score at a good rate as well, much to the credit of Sarfaraz Khan's quick-fire half-century. However, Krunal Pandya got RCB back in control with a double-wicket first over, and he has been mixing his lengths and line nicely to keep Shivam Dube quiet. Chennai will hope that Dube can get going, as he is the main hope for them and has the ability to clear the ropes with ease, which is exactly what they need here.

FOUR! Top edge and away it goes! On a shortish length, outside off. Dube swivels for the pull but fails to get on top of the bounce. The ball flies over the keeper off a top edge for a boundary.

Sliding across, short in length. Veer works it to deep backward point for one.

Wow! What was that? It brings about a smile on the face of Virat Kohli. Taller version of Kedar Jadhav, quips Ravi Shastri on air. Bowled with a round-arm action by Krunal and he also gets very low while delivering the ball. On the shorter side, on off. Dube punches it to long off for a single.

Out comes the bouncer again, on off. Shivam drops his wrists and leaves it all alone.

Slower and fuller, on middle. Veer nurdles it square on the leg side for a run.

FOUR! Gets it through! A bit too predictable from Krunal. Bowls the quick bumper, on off. Prashant waits on the back foot and cuts it towards backward point. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, standing on the edge of the circle, bends but fails to get his body behind the ball. The ball gets past his left knee for a four.

Goes past the bat! Abhinandan Singh is lucky to get away with it. This is right in the hitting arc, full and just outside the off stump. Shivam swings to launch it downtown but is beaten on the outside edge.

This is on a hard length, on middle. Dube stabs it down on the off side.

FOUR! Crunched! Off-cutter attempted by Abhinandan Singh. He gets it all wrong as it comes out as a juicy full toss, on off. Shivam swings through and hammers it to the left of long off for a four.

Hurls it on a hard length, on off. Veer uses the angle and glides it to deep third for another single.

FOUR! Gets it away! At 135.1 kph, a short ball at the right shoulder. Prashant presses back and swivels to pull it fine towards long leg for a boundary.

Nails the yorker, right at the base of the off stump. Shivam gets his bat down and jams it out to cover for a single.

Spin from both ends? No, Abhinandan Singh to continue.

A bumper to finish the over! Pandya bends his back and goes short, sliding across the left-hander. Prashant Veer stays leg side of the ball and makes a late attempt to run it down. He misses it altogether.

Half the side back in the hut for CSK now. Prashant Veer is the next man in.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Two wickets in the over for Krunal Pandya. A short stay for Kartik Sharma. Flighted delivery from around the stumps, full and in line with the off stump. Kartik drops to a knee and goes for the slog sweep by getting his hands out in front. The ball straightens a touch after landing to take the top edge. It is skied towards short third, where Abhinandan Singh settles under it and even though it is not the best of catching technique, he manages to hold onto it in reverse cup style.

Banged into the surface again, outside off. Dube fends it down on the off side and crosses over.

Whoa! There comes the surprise bouncer by Pandya. From around the wicket, digs it in short, across off. Dube is taken aback and lets it be.

SIX! No sighters needed for Dube! Floated up, full and turning into the hitting arc of the left-hander. Shivam gets down on a knee and plunders this way over deep mid-wicket for a six.

Spin turns out to be the downfall for Sarfaraz Khan. That brings out Shivam Dube to the middle.

OUT! STUMPED! Krunal Pandya strikes with his first ball. Sliding on with the arm from around the wicket, full and on middle and leg. Sarfaraz Khan shimmies down the track and looks to launch it back over the bowler's head. The ball keeps coming in with the angle and goes past the inside edge. The keeper, Jitesh Sharma is blinded by the batter standing in front of him but he does well to move to his left and brings his gloves in the correct position to gather the ball. Jitesh breaks the stumps with Sarfaraz at a point of no return.

Time for some spin as Krunal Pandya comes into the attack.

FIFTY for Sarfaraz Khan! This has been a really enterprising knock from the talented right-hander. A raise of the bat from Sarfaraz towards his father, who is present in the stands. Fractionally short, on middle. Khan swivels and pulls it through square leg. He brings up his second IPL half-century with this single and in just 24 balls.

Sarfaraz goes aerial but does not get the desired result. Into the surface, not short enough to trouble the batter, around off. Sarfaraz stands tall and pummels it over mid on. He does not quite get hold of it and the ball plugs in the outfield. Romario Shepherd turns around and hauls it in. Another brace for Khan.

FOUR! Stand and deliver! Abhinandan Singh corrects his length by pulling the length back but offers width this time on off. Sarfaraz frees his arms and plays it on the rise. Lofts it over wide mid off for four more.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Too full from Singh, too straight as well. Sarfaraz Khan brings his wrists into play and flicks it through square leg for a boundary.

This is on a hard length, outside off. Khan gets on his toes and reaches out to cut it over point. Tim David mops it up in the deep by getting around to his right. Two runs taken.

Oh, what happened there? Shaping away, on a good length, near the tramline. Sarfaraz flashes but fails to connect and the bat slips out of his hand, dropping beside the strip on the leg side.

Will Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowl three in a row? The answer is no. Abhinandan Singh comes into the attack.

SIX! Kartik Sharma joins the party now! Fuller in length and angling into the pads. Sharma just steps across and brings his wrists into play to flick it. He does not try to keep it down and the ball goes all the way over deep backward square leg for half a dozen more. 23 runs off the over.

Gets away with it! A full toss, on middle, Sarfaraz Khan bunts it out towards mid on for one.

FOUR! He has played this shot really well in this game. This is on an in-between length, neither full nor short. Sarfaraz Khan picks it off the pads and gives it a flick of the wrists. It flies flat and over the deep square leg fence for another six. Uh..oh! The siren goes off and Duffy has overstepped here. It is called a No Ball and Free Hit is up next.

Much fuller and on middle, angling in. Sarfaraz Khan is not expecting this length and misses his flick. Gets hit on the pads. There is a shout for LBW, but turned down. Probably going down the leg side.

FOUR! Put away! Duffy lands this short again and on middle and leg. Sarfaraz Khan once again gets on top of the bounce and pulls it away to the vacant deep square leg fence for a boundary. 50 UP FOR CSK.

WIDE! Slower one, full but down the leg side. Sarfaraz Khan fails to make any contact. Wided.

SIX! Clean strike! Jacob Duffy goes hard into the pitch, on middle, but this one sits up nicely for the batter. Sarfaraz Khan picks up the length early, keeps a solid base and heaves it over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more.

Good length and on middle, angling in a bit. Sarfaraz Khan stays back and tries to glance it away but it looks like he misses it. The umpire calls it a wide, but RCB take the review here. The UltraEdge shows that the ball just brushed the pads before going behind. The wide call has been overturned.

Shout for LBW, but turned down! Hard length and on middle, takes pace off. Sarfaraz Khan looks to flick it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls to the leg side. Sharma calls him for the run. Sarfaraz loses his bat but still sets off and makes his ground to the other end.

SIX! Goes all the way! Pitched up and on middle, angling into the pads. Sarfaraz Khan plays the pick-up shot using his wrists and whips it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Nicely bowled! Similar length and on the fifth stump line, gets it to shape away a bit. Sarfaraz Khan has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge. It drops just in front of the keeper, who does well to get his body behind it.

Good length and on middle, shaping it into the batter. Sarfaraz Khan has no room to work with and pats it down to short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Good shot! Short of a length and just around off. Sarfaraz Khan stands tall, gets on top of it and swats it over mid on for a boundary.

On top of off. Khan hops to deal with it. He closes the bat face early and gets a soft leading edge to point.

On a length and on middle, Kartik Sharma tucks it to mid-wicket.

CSK in all sorts of trouble. Kartik Sharma walks out to bat. Virat Kohli asks the crowd to get behind Jacob Duffy as he steams in.

OUT! TAKEN! Jacob Duffy gets his second. Action replay of the dismissal of Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Duffy strikes for the second time after getting hit for a six. He bowls this on a hard length and in that channel outside off, gets it to shape away. Sanju Samson makes the same mistake of going after it, but without much foot movement. Gets a thick outside edge to first slip, where Devdutt Padikkal takes his second catch of the game. CSK are 30/3 now.

SIX! Nicely done! Too straight from Duffy and he knows it. A hand of apology straight away before walking back to his mark. This is angled in at the hips, on a back of a length. Samson picks it up off the pads and it goes over deep backward square leg for a six.

Leg bye! On the pads. Khan attempts the glance but fails to lay any bat on it. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes behind square leg.

FOUR! A better effort was needed there! This is a bit fuller and on off, Sarfaraz Khan looks to whip it away but closes the bat face early. It goes off the leading edge wide of short third. Bhuvneshwar Kumar moves to his right. He tries to pick up on the bounce but makes a meal of it and lets it through for a boundary.

Uppish but safe! Short of a length and on middle, takes off a bit. Sanju Samson stays back but gets hurried into the pull shot. It takes the top edge and goes high in the air. Both mid-wicket and mid on run back, but the ball falls safely over them. They cross.

EDGED, DROPPED AND FOUR! Bhuvneshwar Kumar lands this on a good length and around off, nips it back in. Sarfaraz Khan slashes at it but gets a thick outside edge towards first slip. Devdutt Padikkal leaps up and tries to grab it with his outstretched left hand, but the ball clips his fingertips and goes behind for a boundary. Tough chance though.

Good length and on off, Sarfaraz Khan dabs it down towards short third and wants the run but is sent back.

A swing and a miss! Bhuvneshwar Kumar sees the batter advance and bangs this into the pitch. Sarfaraz Khan loses his shape going for the big heave across the line and misses.

FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Short of a length and just outside off. Sarfaraz Khan gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through point as the ball blazes through the turf for a boundary.

Sarfaraz Khan is in next with the Super Kings in early strife. Two slips await.

OUT! CAUGHT! Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets his 200th IPL wicket. Bhuvi becomes only the second bowler after Yuzvendra Chahal to achieve this landmark. Kumar lands it on a hard length and just around off, gets some extra bounce off the deck. Ayush Mhatre backs away and tries to swing across the line but his bat turns in his hand. He ends up mistiming his shot badly to the right of mid off, where Rajat Patidar takes a few steps to that side and takes a dolly. A fine knock in the last game, but Mhatre fails to make an impact in this one.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar begins with a back-of-a-length delivery, on middle, Ayush Mhatre stays back and pats it towards mid on.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar will bowl from the other end.

Hard length and around off, Ayush Mhatre guides it to deep third for one. 10 runs and a wicket from the first over!

CSK suffer an early blow with a mountain to climb. Ayush Mhatre comes in at number 3. Mhatre will have happy memories of this ground, having scored 94 here last season.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Jacob Duffy has the last laugh here, and the CSK skipper goes back to the hut cheaply. Duffy lands this on a good length and just around off, gets it to shape away. Ruturaj Gaikwad, without moving his feet, goes for the drive on the up but fails to handle the extra bounce. It takes the outside edge and flies towards first slip, where Devdutt Padikkal takes a sharp catch to his right. CSK are 9/1, chasing 251 runs.

SIX! BANG! There is the first six. Jacob Duffy bangs this into the pitch, on off, but not short enough to trouble the batter. Ruturaj Gaikwad climbs onto it quickly and nails the pull over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Slightly fuller in length, on off, Sanju Samson drives it with a straight bat towards long off for another run.

On a length and on middle, angling in, Ruturaj Gaikwad works it off the inner half of the bat towards deep backward square leg for a run.

Sanju Samson and CSK are underway in the chase! Jacob Duffy starts with a hard-length delivery, on middle, nips back in. Samson stays back and clips it towards square leg for a single.

FOUR! The 250 is up for RCB! A catching opportunity missed, and to make matters worse for CSK, it has gone for a boundary. Full and angled into the pads. David picks it up aerially towards deep mid-wicket. Sarfaraz Khan commits to the catch but realises that he cannot get there. He slams the brakes but loses the ball in the lights and cannot get his body behind the ball. Khan stays side on and looks to make the stop as the ball bounces in front of him but it ends up going past him for a four.

Wide yorker nailed by Anshul Kamboj. Rajat Patidar squeezes it out past cover for another single. A four on the last ball will take RCB to 250.

Near the tramline, David drills it to deep cover for one.

Full and on off, this is driven through the covers for a single.

There to be put away! Full toss, on middle. Rajat Patidar swings too hard and loses his shape in the process. Bunts it down the bowler.

SIX! The sixes keep coming. Full and wide, near the tramline. Rajat Patidar is made to reach out and he makes contact with the ball, slicing it over deep point for a six.

Final over coming up and there will also be a change of ball as the previous one has just been launched into the car park by Tim David. 250 in touching distance for RCB. Can Anshul Kamboj somehow find a way to stop the carnage? Let's find out...

SIX! Watch out, those in the Cubbon Park, this is coming towards you. 30 RUNS OFF THE OVER! Jamie Overton bashes the surface, over middle. This sits up to be hit and David muscles it with all his might over square leg. He parks it onto the roof.

SIX! Two in two, but this is even bigger! RCB move to 231, their highest total against CSK, according to Ravi Shastri. Yorker gone wrong once again for Overton. Full and on middle. Tim tonks it cleanly well over the sight screen for half a dozen.

SIX! Tim David brings up his FIFTY in grand style. His 2nd IPL half-century and it comes in 21 balls. David also blows a kiss to someone in the dugout. Overton gets the yorker wrong and serves it right in the slot, on middle. Tim gets under the ball and pumps it over mid on for a biggie.

FOUR! Extra pace can really work against a bowler at such times. Not a bad delivery, but Overton still pays the price. Banged in short and angled across off, David is rushed as he looks to pull and the ball brushes the top edge, before flying high and wide to the right of the keeper, and into the deep third fence.

Jamie goes full and angles it across off, David goes after it and looks to drag it over deep mid-wicket but gets an inside edge past the stumps and down to fine leg for a couple of runs.

SIX! Powered away with ease. A leg stump half-volley from Overton to begin the over. Tim David gets low and smokes it beyond the backward square leg fence for his fifth biggie of the game and moves into the 40s.

Two overs to go. How many will RCB get from here? Jamie Overton will bowl the 19th over.

Low full toss, on off. David carves it to deep cover for a single.

SIX! Tim David makes the Free Hit count. Anshul Kamboj misses the yorker. Low full toss, outside off. David swings through the line and pummels it over long on for half a dozen. That will only add salt to the wounds for Kamboj and CSK.

TIMBER! Outfoxed and Tim David acknowledges that with a fist bump with the bowler. Oh, hang on, the no ball is being checked. Would you believe it? Anshul Kamboj has overstepped. David stays on. A massive moment in the game. Kamboj spots David making a slight move towards the off side and he nails the yorker, right at the base of the leg stump. David swings but misses and the ball crashes into the leg stump. It all goes in vain for Anshul. Free Hit coming up.

A big swing and a miss! Kamboj flirts with the tramline. This lands near the popping crease and Tim swings to go big on the off side but only connects with thin air. David feels that it should be called a wide. He has a word with Patidar and takes the review. The replays show that Tim was standing on the off stump, but the ball was within the tramline. RCB lose a review.

Very full, outside off. David gets low, takes the ball on the full and cracks the drive to the left of long off for a couple of runs.

Missed out! Kamboj dishes it out right in the slot, on middle and leg. David gets the front leg out of the way and has a hoick across the line. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads and Tim admonishes himself for missing out.

FOUR! Hit hard and wide enough! Anshul Kamboj steams in from around the wicket and bowls the wide line with the field set accordingly. It ends up being a low full toss, David uses his long reach and smacks it along the ground to the right of the man at deep point for a four.

Anshul Kamboj (2-0-25-1) is back on.

Continues to be short, on off. This is slapped to deep cover for a single. 21 runs off Noor's final over.

SIX! Make that a hat-trick of sixes. Tim David is rampant. Change of angle from Noor but no change in result. Ahmad switches to around the wicket and keeps the length short and pushes it through, outside the off stump. David presses deep in the crease and plays it on the rise. Lofts it over cover off the back foot for the third six in a row.

Ominous signs for CSK and Noor Ahmad right now. Can Noor make a comeback or will David continue to overpower him?

SIX MORE! Another half-tracker, and the line this time is around middle. David needs no second invitation. He stays back and mows it with power over mid-wicket for six more. Noor under immense pressure.

SIX! Belted! Too short, asking to be hit and David gets the width to free his arms. Tim waits on the back foot and slaps it over long off for a biggie.

Oh, that was not far from hitting the stumps! Flat and short, on off. Rajat Patidar switches his stance for the reverse but misses. The ball sneaks past the off stump and deflects off the keeper's pads to short fine leg. The batters cross for a bye. A wayward throw at the bowling end but it is backed up and the batters settle with one.

Khaleel Ahmed is substituted by Kartik Sharma

Tossed up, on off, driven to cover for a single.

Noor Ahmad is back to finish his spell. Also, CSK have used their Impact Sub, bringing in Kartik Sharma for Khaleel Ahmed.

SIX! Clean strike! Khaleel takes pace off and this sits up to be hit, on middle and leg. It comes at thigh height and Patidar stands tall to dispatch the pull over square leg for a six. 19 runs off the over!

FOUR! Not exactly where Patidar intended but he will take it. On a good length, leaving the right-hander with the angle. Patidar throws the kitchen sink at it and the ball slices off the outer half over backward point for a boundary.

Half a shout for LBW! Turned down by the umpire. Khaleel Ahmed is convinced, and he coaxes Ruturaj Gaikwad to take the review. The ball did go towards the keeper with a deflection. Low full toss, across off. Patidar hangs deep in the crease and has a swipe across the line. The ball dips under the blade and brushes the back leg on its way to the keeper. However, the UltraEdge comes up with a spike, confirming that the ball brushed the toe end of the bat.

SIX! Quality shot! Khaleel attempts the wide yorker but it ends up being a low full toss and the line is not wide enough. Patidar hangs low, takes the ball on the full and goes inside out over cover for a biggie.

Wide! Khaleel rolls his fingers over the ball and digs it in short. Rajat rises with the bounce and gets his hands high to flay it away, but misses. Patidar has a look at the square leg umpire, but he does not get the signal he is looking for. After a chat with David at the other end, the RCB skipper challenges the wide call. The ball turns out to be 0.06 metres above head height. As they say, game of fine margins. The on-field decision has been changed to wide.

Khaleel bashes the hard length and over off. Tim is deep in the crease and swings across for the pull. He is rushed but manages to get it away in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Into the strip, on middle. Patidar moves away from the stumps and with a high elbow, he punches it to deep cover for a single.

Oh, doesn't rise much this one. Back of a length, around off and angling in. Rajat Patidar looks to swivel and pull but the ball skids on and beats the inside edge, hitting the thigh pad. The ball rolls towards short third for a leg bye.

Shorter this time, outside off, slashed away to deep point for a single by David.

Fuller in length, at the stumps, David plays it back to the bowler.

That's good pace from Overton, around 148 clicks. Back of a length and in the channel outside off, Tim David has a poke at it but the ball zips past the blade.

Full and on middle, defended solidly off the front foot by David.

How often have we seen this? A wicket straight away after the break. Tim David is in at number 5. The platform is set for him to go big.

OUT! TIMBER! Too cute from DDP and he pays the highest price for it. Jamie Overton bowls it full and fast, attacking the stumps. Devdutt Padikkal is quick to walk across the off stump and he shows too much of the stumps to the bowler. Padikkal even falls over as he attempts the lap shot and the ball goes on to knock over the leg stump out of the ground. End of a fine knock. The 21-ball 58-run stand comes to an end.

STRATEGIC BREAK! CSK will welcome this break in play. After dismissing Phil Salt, they would have hoped to keep the scoring in check, but the runs have since haemorrhaged at an alarming rate. Rajat Patidar has been quick to get off the blocks, while Devdutt Padikkal has also upped the ante and how. It does seem that shot-making has become easier as the ball has lost its hardness, but can the Super Kings come up with the goods at the death? Let's find out. Jamie Overton is back into the attack.

Back-to-back FIFTIES to start the season for Devdutt Padikkal. Banged in short and just outside off, rushing the batter. Padikkal shanks the pull shot down to long on and picks up a single to end the over, 14 off it.

FOUR! Too much width on offer. Short and wide outside off, Padikkal reaches for it and swats it up and over the cover region for yet another boundary. 150 UP FOR RCB.

Banged in quick and short over middle, but a bit too high for the umpire's liking as DDP ducks under it. Actually, it is reviewed by CSK. The third umpire checks the replays, and we can see that the ball is just a hair under DDP's head height, so no wide.

PUT DOWN! A very difficult chance, but a chance nonetheless. Henry serves this on a good length but bowls it wide of the off stump. Devdutt Padikkal goes after it and slaps it flat past cover. Ruturaj Gaikwad, inside the circle, puts in a horizontal dive to his right but the ball hits his wrist and rolls away behind for a couple of runs.

Short ball, right at the batter, pulled away to the right of deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Wow, that's some shot and the 50-run stand comes up between these two, off just 15 balls. Pitched up on a fuller length around off, Rajat Patidar simply lifts it with minimal power and times it perfectly back over the bowler's head for a biggie.

This has been some acceleration from RCB. The partnership has raced to 44 off just 14 deliveries. Rajat Patidar turns to Matt Henry in search of a breakthrough. The Kiwi quick has gone for 22 runs in his 2 overs so far.

FOUR! Drilled back past the bowler and 23 runs come off that over. Full and straight, nearly in the blockhole but Padikkal manages to clear the front leg and pummel it along the turf and dead straight for another boundary.

FOUR! Excellent placement from DDP! Slower ball, fractionally short and wide outside off. Padikkal waits well before crunching the cut shot wide of point and the ball runs away to the fence.

SIX! It's raining sixes now at the Chinnaswamy. Padikkal is early to shimmy down the pitch and Dube sees him coming as well. Dube tries to outfox the batter by going full and wide but Padikkal does brilliantly to reach out and use those long levers to power it over extra cover for a biggie.

Back of a length, on middle, tucked away through mid-wicket for one.

SIX! Oh, just over the ropes. A surprise short ball from Dube, well-directed and Rajat Patidar gets rushed. However, he manages to hook it away towards deep backward square leg, where Noor Ahmad puts in a valiant effort, leaping high to his right and even gets a finger on it, but the ball and Noor, both go over the ropes.

Good length again, in the channel, punched off the middle of the bat towards deep cover but for just a single.

WIDE! Pace off, on a length and darting well across the left-hander. Padikkal leaves it alone and a wide is called.

On the shorter side and wide outside off, this is cut away through backward point for one more. 16 off the over.

Short of a length, on off, punched through mid off for a single.

Better length again from Ahmad. Bowled flatter and darted into the pads. Padikkal plays all over it and gets it off the pads to short third for a leg bye.

SIX! Wow, that's gone many a mile. Tossed up on middle, not all that full but Padikkal dances down the track, gets it on the full and launches it over long on for a colossal six.

Noor immediately drags the length back, bowling it around off. Rajat eases it through covers for one.

SIX! Magnificent strokeplay from Rajat Patidar. Tossed up, wide outside off, Patidar gets down on one knee, opens up the off side and lofts it over the sweeper cover fielder for a six. 100 up for RCB now.

FOUR! That's a freebie from Dube. Too short and too wide, Devdutt Padikkal presses up on his toes and uppercuts it down to the vacant deep third fence for a boundary.

Back of a length and around off, punched off the back foot and down to long on for a single.

The 56-run stand has been broken. Phil Salt absolutely berates himself on his way back. He knows the importance of a set batter on this tricky wicket, where the ball is holding in the surface. RCB's skipper, Rajat Patidar makes his way out to the centre.

OUT! CAUGHT! Shivam Dube strikes gold in his first over, and Phil Salt is livid with his dismissal. Bowled at just 116 kph, Dube digs this one in short again and outside off. Salt comes forward and looks to drag the pull in front of square leg, but rolls his wrists over the ball and gets a top edge. The ball flies down to the left of Noor Ahmad at deep square leg, and he slides across to reverse cup it nicely. Salt falls 4 runs short of his fifty and RCB are now 2 down for 93.

Back of a length, angling across off, cut away without much timing and into the turf towards cover-point for one more.

Oh, that should have been put away. Gentle-pace delivery, full and down leg, Salt gets inside the line and only gets a bottom edge down to short fine leg for a single.

Dube starts his spell with a short ball, digging it into the pitch and wide of the off stump. Salt ends up jamming it down to extra cover.

Yes, he does finish decently. Noor floats it up, slightly too straight, on the pads. Devdutt plays the sweep fine of the man at short fine leg. Anshul Kamboj gives it a chase and hauls it in. A couple of runs for Padikkal. 4 runs off the over, good comeback by Noor after going for 10 runs in his opening over.

Noor keeps it on the shorter side and bowls it with a flatter trajectory, on middle and leg. Phil wrists it off the back foot in front of square on the leg side for a run. Just 2 runs off the over so far. Can Ahmad finish well?

Sliding in at the hips, Padikkal clips it through square leg and gets to the other end.

A flash and a miss! Pushed through, on the shorter side, outside off. Padikkal makes room and goes hard on the cut but misses.

On a good length, a hint of turn, around off. The ball holds in the surface and DDP checks his push to cover.

A bit of a mix-up but no harm done! Tossed up, full and on middle. Devdutt Padikkal makes room to go through the off side. He taps it in front of cover and wants to sneak in a quick single but is sent back by his partner.

Full and outside off. Devdutt carves it away off the outer half behind point for a run. The 50-run stand is also up between these two.

FOUR! Smart batting! At the sticks by Overton, on a good length, an off-cutter. Padikkal hangs deep in the crease and walks inside the line of the ball. He knows that fine leg is inside the circle and he picks it up over that man for a boundary.

Across off, on a good length. Devdutt Padikkal holds his shape and swings through the line to play the lofted drive. He does not quite get the timing right but manages to clear extra cover. The ball slows down in the outfield and DDP picks up a brace.

Width offered, on a short of a length. Phil reaches out and slaps it to deep cover. They cross.

Overton pitches it up, outside off. Phil walks across to get closer to the line and drives it along the ground between cover and mid off. Ayush Mhatre dives to his left at mid off but cannot make a clean stop. The ball goes behind off his hands and Salt comes back for the second run.

Overton bashes the hard length, on middle. Padikkal hops back and lifts the front leg to pull it behind square leg for a single.

Strategic Break! A high-octane start at the Chinnaswamy, with plenty of boundaries and a few chances for the bowlers as well. After a sluggish start, Phil Salt and RCB have started to find their rhythm. Virat Kohli got an early life but failed to make the most of it and the CSK pacers have bowled relatively well so far without being all that lucky. RCB do have an in-form batting lineup and with Salt now well set, they will look to keep racking up the runs at a brisk pace in the middle overs as well. Let's see if CSK's spinners and change bowlers can do some damage or not in the upcoming phase. With that said, Jamie Overton is into the attack now.

Googly from Noor, on a good length, turning into the pads. Padikkal works it with the spin off the back foot to deep square leg for a run. Ahmad goes for 10 runs in his first over.

Noor drags his length back and keeps it outside off. This is cut away to deep point for one more.

SIX! All the way! Even quicker from Noor and he goes full this time. Salt gets down on a knee and fetches it from outside the off stump before playing the slog sweep over mid-wicket. Phil does not get it from the middle of the blade but enough to clear the ropes.

Bowled at 98.7 kph, on a nagging length, on off and middle. DDP hangs back and pushes it to long on for a single.

Flatter and shorter, sliding across off. Salt chops it down in front of point and crosses over.

Salt swings himself off his feet! Noor loops it up first up, on leg. Phil has a heave across the line but misses and wears it on the front pad. He slips and falls over.

Short ball outside off, guided away through backward point for a single by Phil Salt.

FOUR! That's travelled at a rate of knots. Pace off from Kamboj, fractionally short and over middle and leg. Salt gets leg side of the ball and heaves it flat towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Oh, a misfield and the batters get the extra run. Back of a length and outside off, punched away towards cover, where Ghosh fumbles and lets it through, conceding two runs.

SIX! Up and over, it goes. Shortish length, angled into the batter and at a comfortable height as well. Phil Salt swivels and pulls it beyond deep square leg for a six.

A good-looking shot for no run. Shorter in length and outside off, Phil Salt stays upright and slaps it away but straight to the cover fielder.

WIDE! Too high. Banged in well short and around off, Salt sways his head away from the line of the ball and lets it through.

Back of a length, outside off, cut away down to deep backward point for one. A bit of hesitation between the batters as they look for two but decide against it.

That's the Powerplay done. Anshul Kamboj to continue.

FOUR! Phil Salt ends the Powerplay with a positive shot. Fractionally short and angled across off, Salt hangs back and gets into a side-on stance before hoicking it through mid-wicket for a boundary. 49/1 after 6 overs.

First run for Padikkal against Khaleel in the IPL, according to the on-air commentators, as before this game, he was dismissed twice by Khaleel without scoring a single run. Slightly short and outside off, cut away in front of point for a single.

Play and a miss! Good length, just outside off, looking to induce the drive. Padikkal does go for it but ends up getting beaten past the outside edge.

Pitched on the fuller side and around off, Salt goes back and across, trying to swing it over mid-wicket but ends up just jamming it in front of mid-wicket for a single.

No room on offer. On a hard length on off, angling away, Phil Salt stands tall and forces the punch towards the fielder at cover.

Slower ball, a bit full and around leg stump, Salt gets inside the line and helps it down to fine leg for a couple of runs.

A change of ends for Khaleel Ahmed. In case you missed it, two stalwarts of Indian cricket from this region, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble, have had the two ends at the Chinnaswamy named after them. Both legends were present for the unveiling ceremony that took place before the game. Khaleel is currently operating from the Anil Kumble End.

Back of a length, slightly straighter in line, Salt taps it down in front of covers and picks up a single.

FOUR! Oh, that's unlucky for the bowler. Good-length delivery, around the top of off and middle. Phil Salt backs away to open up the off side but gets an outside edge that goes well wide to the right of Sanju Samson behind the stumps and goes away into the third man fence.

Back of a length and outside off, stabbed into the off side for a single by Devdutt Padikkal.

In walks Devdutt Padikkal at number 3. A 26-ball 61 for the left-hander on the opening night.

OUT! CAUGHT! Redemption time for Shivam Dube and Virat Kohli has to walk back here. Cleverly bowled by Anshul Kamboj as he does drag his length back, knowing Kohli will still try to take it on. Virat Kohli jumps down the pitch and looks to smoke the ball out of the ground, but gets it high on the bat. The ball travels down to long on, where Dube runs across to his right to get to it and manages to cling on this time. A very unlike Kohli knock, but he's given his team a decent start here.

FOUR! That's become a signature shot for VK in recent times. Good-length delivery over middle, angling in, Kohli uses those lovely wrists of his to whip it across the line and over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Kamboj hits a back of a length and bowls it around off. Kohli advances and shanks the lofted shot on the bounce to the man at mid off.

A change in bowling, but no spin just yet. Anshul Kamboj comes into the attack, replacing Khaleel Ahmed.

Good length, honing in on middle, nudged into the leg side for a single by Kohli. 16 off the over.

FOUR! That's got class written all over it. Full-pitched delivery, attacking the stumps, Virat Kohli gets his hands out in front and punches the straight drive with stellar timing, back past the bowler and the ball rolls away into the fence.

Slower and shorter, Kohli comes forward and plays a wristy pull to the right of deep square leg for a couple of runs more.

Another lofted shot attempted, again, it is not clean enough. Henry pulls his length back by a few inches and serves it around off, Kohli comes forward and hits it back over the bowler's head and clears the 30-yard circle. The ball plugs in the outfield again and they get two runs.

SIX! Finally, Kohli gets one right out of the screws and the crowd comes alive. Length ball on middle, Virat Kohli keeps a still head and nonchalantly whips it across the line, over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

High and over the infield but just a single. Full-pitched delivery on middle, Phil Salt clears the front leg and lifts it well over mid on but the ball plugs in the outfield, resulting in just a single.

That in-between length, attacking the stumps and Kohli fails to get it away. Another fine over from Khaleel.

Oh, a risky single now. Back of a length, tight line around off, Phil Salt jams it into the turf and straight to mid off before setting off for the single. Ruturaj Gaikwad picks the ball but misses the direct hit at the bowler's end.

Full and on the pads, Kohli misses the flick and the ball thuds his pads, rolling towards fine leg. They get a leg bye.

DROPPED! A big moment in the game already. First of all, a bit unlike Kohli to bash every delivery but Shivam Dube has to catch that. Length ball from Khaleel Ahmed, just around off, Virat Kohli looks to whack it over deep mid-wicket but mistimes it badly. The ball goes high and over mid on, where Dube backtracks and never settles under it. His feet keep moving even as he tries to pouch it, and he ends up spilling it. Two taken.

Back of a length and outside off, Phil Salt looks to take it on but ends up slicing it down to the right of deep third for one more.

Swung hard again by Kohli, no timing on it, though. Hard length, angling across off, Kohli leans back and swats it in front of square leg for just a single.

A tidy start with the ball for Matt Henry as well. Both Salt and Kohli would be itching to put the ball to the fence as they have failed to do so even once so far.

Hit hard but can't get it through! In and around the off stump, on a short of a length. Salt shimmies down the track and hammers it on the up but can't get it past Ruturaj Gaikwad at mid off.

Shaping away, on a back of a length. Kohli dances down the track and flashes at it. Miscues it off the inner half to mid on for one.

Excellent effort! Angled into the pads, on a length. Kohli brings his wrists into play and works it through square leg. Noor Ahmad gets around from deep fine leg and flings himself to his left to push the ball away from the fence, saving a couple of runs for his side.

On a length, on off. Phil Salt swings at it. Skews it off the outer half to deep backward point for a run.

In the channel, on a back of a length, Kohli dabs it to backward point, where Khaleel Ahmed makes a mess of it once again and allows a single.

Around off, on a back of a length, Salt steers it to short third, where Khaleel Ahmed fumbles and concedes a single.

Excellent start with the ball from Khaleel Ahmed for Chennai Super Kings. Matt Henry will be operating from the other end.

A play and a miss! Running across the batter, on a good length. Kohli goes for the expansive drive and is beaten. A riveting first over from Khaleel!

Just out of reach! Full and on middle. Kohli brings his bat out in front and looks to whip it through using his bottom hand. The bat turns in his hands and Virat ends up slicing it over mid on. Shivam Dube turns around and goes after it but the ball drops out of his reach.

A big mix-up but Kohli gets away with it! On a good length, on off. Kohli presses forward and taps it in front of cover. He sets off for the single before being sent back nearly halfway through the run. The cover fielder swoops in, picks the ball up and has a shy at the batting end but misses. Kohli would have been in trouble had the throw hit.

Oh, just a single? That seemed destined for four. Fuller in length, outside off. Salt extends his hands and carves it over point. The ball plugs in the outfield and dribbles towards the ropes. Matt Henry sprints and slides to his right from deep third to prevent the boundary. Well, initially it seemed like a single but the batters did actually take three runs.

Goes past the bat! Khaleel drags the length back and makes use of the over-the-wicket angle. Slides it across the right-hander. Phil pushes away from his body and is beaten on the outside edge.

Khaleel begins with a full ball and keeps the line around the off stump. Salt pushes out in front of his body for the drive. Gets it more off the inner half towards mid on.

Time to get the show on the road in front of a packed house. Usually a sea of red, the stadium sees a sprinkling of yellow whenever CSK are in town, and that is the case tonight as well. Ruturaj Gaikwad leads his troops out onto the park. The decibel levels go up as the crowd welcomes the two RCB openers, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli. Khaleel Ahmed will kickstart proceedings with the new ball. Salt to take the first strike. A slip and a gully in place. Here we go!

A captain's knock - Rishabh Pant has seen Lucknow home in Hyderabad with an unbeaten 68 off 50 balls. After 13 runs were needed off the last 2 overs, SRH did manage to drag the game till the penultimate ball, but LSG got past the finishing line. The Sunrisers suffer their second loss in three games, while the Super Giants, after starting their campaign with a defeat, register their first win of the season.

Looking forward to this clash - The skipper of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajat Patidar says they would have opted to bowl first as well. He feels the wicket looks pretty hard and good for batting, but adds that the plan now is to put up a strong total and apply pressure on the opposition. He mentions it is a fresh surface and reiterates that conditions here generally favour batters. Shares that he is pleased with how the team performed in the first game, calling it a tremendous collective effort, and adds that everyone is clear about their roles. Rajat informs that they are unchanged for this game.

Huge roar from the crowd... The captain of the Chennai Super Kings, Ruturaj Gaikwad says they want to chase on this high-scoring ground, amidst a roaring Bengaluru crowd. He mentions that it looks like a good wicket and adds that the aim is to keep RCB to as low a total as possible. Speaking about MS Dhoni, Gaikwad replies that he is slowly getting back on track, as it sometimes takes time, but is confident that he will soon be available. Gaikwad adds that the first game for them was disappointing, but the team improved in the second game, in both departments, though there were still a few errors in execution. Overall, he says everyone in the side is confident and is looking forward to the game. He also informs that the team is unchanged.

Impact sub options for CSK - Matthew Short, Akeal Hosein, Kartik Sharma, Ramakrishna Ghosh and Gurjapneet Singh.

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI) - Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Matt Henry and Khaleel Ahmed.

Impact sub options for RCB - Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Rasikh Salam, Kanishk Chouhan and Venkatesh Iyer.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh and Jacob Duffy.

TOSS - Time for the coin to go up in Bengaluru. The customary photograph between the two captains is done, and they are joined by Ravi Shastri out in the middle. Ruturaj Gaikwad calls it correctly. Chennai Super Kings elect to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop notes that the square boundaries measure 68 metres on one side and 61 metres on the other, with the straight boundary at 71 metres. Joining him, former South African captain Faf du Plessis describes it as one of the best batting surfaces in India and a personal favourite. Du Plessis mentions that at the Chinnaswamy, what you get is a bit of bounce, which is why RCB tend to load their attack with taller bowlers. Adds that the new ball becomes crucial, if you strike early, you give yourself a real chance, but if you don’t, that’s when the big scores tend to come. Bishop points out a few cracks on the surface and asks du Plessis whether spin could have a role to play. Faf responds that it’s not typically a venue where spin has a major impact. Around 65 per cent of the overs are bowled by pacers here, and he adds that bowling full can be risky and top of off is the ideal length for the spinners.

Sanju Samson is up next - Sanju says he is enjoying his time with CSK and is getting a closer look at what makes a championship-winning side. As a batter, he adds that he is eager to perform and is looking forward to taking positive strides. Samson mentions it took him only a couple of days to get accustomed to the new franchise environment, and highlights the presence of MS Dhoni in the setup, describing the environment as calm and relaxed. When asked if a big knock is around the corner, Sanju says it always feels like one is coming, so let's see. He acknowledges the hype and build-up around the game, adding that everyone is excited for the contest. Samson also says it’s great fun to play at this venue and is looking forward to the occasion.

How's the mood in the RCB camp? Devdutt Padikkal says that he is looking forward to the game after a long break. Mentions that once the season gets going, players prefer matches to come thick and fast. Shares that the break has been spent unwinding, with activities like padel and a few team dinners helping the group recharge. Devdutt admits it can be a little frustrating with the Impact Player rule, as it sometimes means he has to sit out during the team's bowling effort. Further says he enjoys being out in the field and contributing in that aspect of the game. DDP acknowledges that CSK are a tough opposition and adds that the intensity is always high in such contests. He stresses the importance of starting well and carrying that momentum through the game.

What's happening in Hyderabad? In the first game of the day, Rishabh Pant is holding the chase together for the Lucknow Super Giants. The equation for LSG reads 49 needed off 36 balls, and as long as Pant is at the crease, they will feel fairly confident of getting the job done. Earlier, Sunrisers Hyderabad recovered from 26/4, but a flurry of wickets towards the end meant they had to settle for 156. You can switch tabs and keep an eye on the action while we await the toss here in Bengaluru.

The numbers favour Bengaluru - Chennai's batting has lacked fluency, with the lowest run rate (8.75) among teams since the start of IPL 2025, while Bengaluru sit third on the list with a far healthier run rate of 9.87. The contrast becomes even sharper when it comes to pace bowling. Since 2025, CSK's pacers have picked up the fewest wickets (45) while conceding runs at 10.1, the third worst among teams. RCB, on the other hand, have thrived in this department, with the third most wickets (72) and the second best economy (9.43).

A Sunday treat in Bengaluru - A weekend blockbuster is upon us as Royal Challengers Bengaluru host their rivals, Chennai Super Kings. With the two teams placed in different groups, this will be their only meeting in the league stage, but a potential rematch in the playoffs could still be on the cards. In recent times, RCB have had the upper hand, winning 4 of the last 6 meetings, including the last three, while CSK have also lost on their last two trips to Bengaluru. That said, this rivalry has delivered some memorable encounters over the years, and let's hope this one adds another to that list.

... MATCH DAY ...

The Southern Derby - Match 11 of the Indian Premier League 2026 season brings one of the league’s most iconic rivalries to the forefront as Royal Challengers Bengaluru host Chennai Super Kings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This clash is part of a high-voltage double-header weekend and carries early-season importance for both teams. With contrasting starts, the match could significantly influence momentum going forward. RCB enter this contest riding high after a commanding win in their opening game, where they successfully chased down a 200+ total with ease. Their batting unit looked fluent and confident, setting the tone for a strong title defense. In contrast, CSK have endured a difficult start, losing both of their opening matches despite a much-improved batting performance in the last game. Their inability to defend big scores highlights concerns in their bowling unit and overall execution under pressure. Venue dynamics - The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is synonymous with high-scoring encounters. Short boundaries and a flat pitch make it a nightmare for bowlers and a paradise for batters. Teams chasing often have an advantage here, especially with dew playing a role in evening games. Expect another run-fest, where a total in excess of 200 may not be safe. However, given that it is early April, the dew might not play as big a role as expected, but the smaller dimensions do make it a very difficult ground to defend a total. The in-form Red Brigade - RCB’s biggest strength lies in their explosive and well-balanced batting lineup. Players like Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal have already shown excellent form, while skipper Rajat Patidar anchors the middle order. Their depth is further enhanced by power hitters and all-rounders who can accelerate at any stage. On the bowling front, experienced names like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and emerging contributors have provided control and breakthroughs. RCB’s ability to adapt to conditions at home makes them particularly dangerous, and they will likely stick to a similar winning combination. Test of CSK's mettle - CSK, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, find themselves under early pressure. A couple of contrasting batting performances haven't helped their cause, but their bowling has struggled to contain opposition batters, whether it be in a low-scoring affair against Rajasthan Royals or while defending a 200-plus total against Punjab Kings. The biggest positive for CSK has been the consistent form of Shivam Dube and the middle order is starting to find its stride, along with Ayush Mhatre, who was prolific in the last game. The highly-experienced and highly-rated opening pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson need to do better, though. The team management may need to rethink combinations, particularly their use of all-rounders and bowling rotations. However, CSK’s experienced core and history of bouncing back in tournaments mean they cannot be written off, even in a tough away fixture. Key battles to watch out for - One of the most anticipated duels will be between Virat Kohli and the CSK bowling attack. Kohli has an excellent record against CSK and thrives at this venue, making him a central figure in the contest. Another crucial battle will involve CSK’s top order, particularly the duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson, against RCB’s new-ball attack. Early wickets could dictate the flow of the innings in a high-scoring game. Team form (Last 5 completed games, recent first) - RCB - WWWWL | CSK - LLWLW. Predictions? Given the current form, home advantage, and superior balance, RCB start as favorites in this contest. However, matches between these two sides often defy expectations, and CSK’s experience could still produce a turnaround performance. Overall, this fixture promises to be a thrilling, high-scoring encounter filled with star power, tactical intrigue, and intense rivalry, everything that defines the IPL at its best. Who do you think will grab the bragging rights in this Clash of the Titans?