The IPL 2020 clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings is massive on many fronts. It is the clash between Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, two of the best captains that India and the world has ever seen. It is the battle between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, two states that have emotional and political tensions due to the Kaveri water issue. It is also a massive match for how the points table will shape up after the end of the first round of double-headers on Saturday. For Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, they will be aware that a slip-up in Dubai will result in a massive loss of momentum in their race for the play-offs.
Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings have a ‘fan’atical fan base that has cheered them from day 1. At the start of the rivalry, both Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore had an even head-to-head. But, Chennai Super Kings pulled ahead in the subsequent years after 2014 and today, they have a superior head-to-head record against Virat Kohli’s side.
Head-to-head record
Games played – 24
Won by Chennai Super Kings – 15
Won by Royal Challengers Bangalore – 8
No Result – 1
Five previous encounters
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings, April 21, 2019, Bangalore, Result: Royal Challengers Bangalore won by one run
MS Dhoni almost did the impossible in the 2019 IPL clash. Parthiv Patel’s 53 helped Royal Challengers Bangalore reach 161/7. In response, Chennai Super Kings started sluggishly with only MS Dhoni holding fort. In an exhibition of calculated hitting, MS Dhoni held the key and took the game deep. With 26 runs needed in the final over bowled by Umesh Yadav, it seemed the game was up. However, MS Dhoni being MS Dhoni, he blasted three sixes and a four. One of the sixes hit the roof of the Chinnaswamy stadium and two runs were needed of one ball. However, MS Dhoni missed an off-cutter and Shardul Thakur did not take off for the run immediately. Parthiv Patel took the glove off and effected a run-out to catch Shardul short and Royal Challengers Bangalore won the match by one run and it was their first win against CSK since 2014.
Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, March 23, 2019, Chennai, Result: Chennai Super Kings won by seven wickets
On a poor Chepauk pitch, Royal Challengers Bangalore batted poorly to be bowled out for 70. Imran Tahir and Harbhajan Singh took three wickets apiece and only Parthiv Patel reached double figures with 29. Chasing 70, Chennai Super Kings found it uncomfortable to chase and it took them 17.4 overs to get to 71 as they won in difficult style.
Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, May 5, 2018, Pune, Result: Chennai Super Kings won by six wickets
Parthiv Patel hit 53 but the rest of the RCB batting line-up folded with Ravindra Jadeja taking three wickets and Harbhajan Singh taking two wickets. Tim Southee’s attacking 36 helped RCB reach 127/9 but Chennai Super Kings had no problems in chasing the total down. Ambati Rayudu’ 32 and a blazing 31 from MS Dhoni helped CSK win the match comfortably.
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings, April 25, 2018, Bangalore, Result: Chennai Super Kings won by five wickets
Quinton de Kock and AB de Villiers’ fifties, combined with an aggressive cameo from Mandeep Singh, helped Royal Challengers Bangalore reach 205/8. However, MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu put on a dazzling display of batting that left everybody stunned. Rayudu’s 82 included eight sixes but it was MS Dhoni’s mind-numbing 70 off 34 balls which included seven sixes that sealed his reputation as one of the greatest finishers in the modern era. The match featured a record 33 sixes.
Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, May 22, 2015, Ranchi 2nd Qualifier, Result: Chennai Super Kings won by three wickets
Chris Gayle hit an aggressive 41 but Ashish Nehra’s 3/28 and good support from all the bowlers restricted RCB to 139/8. CSK were boosted by a brilliant knock of 56 from Michael Hussey and despite losing Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis and Dwayne Smith cheaply, CSK were still in the hunt. MS Dhoni guided Chennai Super Kings closer and they won the match by three wickets to deny RCB the chance to enter the final.
