The long-standing rivalry between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is set to heat up once again in IPL 2025, with both teams scheduled to clash twice in the league stage. Their first face-off will take place in Chennai on March 28, followed by the return fixture in Bengaluru on May 3.
With just days left for the tournament to begin, former CSK player Subramaniam Badrinath has reignited the rivalry with a viral social media post. In a lighthearted yet pointed dig at RCB, Subramaniam Badrinath shared a video on Instagram where he interacts warmly with representatives of all IPL teams—except RCB. When the RCB representative appears in the video, Subramaniam Badrinath coldly ignores him and walks away, adding fuel to the competitive fire between the two franchises.
The post quickly went viral, with CSK fans flooding social media with reactions and further teasing their long-time rivals. The tension between the teams remains high, especially after their dramatic IPL 2024 clash, where RCB secured a thrilling win to qualify for the playoffs while CSK was eliminated.
Historically, CSK has been one of the most successful teams in IPL history, winning five titles and maintaining a reputation for consistency. They were also the first team to win back-to-back IPL trophies, defeating RCB in the 2011 final. In contrast, RCB, despite having several star-studded squads over the years, has yet to win an IPL trophy. Their last appearance in the final was in 2016 under Virat Kohli’s leadership, where they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Heading into IPL 2025, RCB will have a new captain, Rajat Patidar, who will be making his debut as an IPL skipper. The team opted not to retain former captain Faf du Plessis in the mega auction, signaling a fresh approach. Meanwhile, CSK will continue under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who took over from MS Dhoni ahead of IPL 2024.
With both teams eager to make a statement, the upcoming CSK vs. RCB encounters promise to be among the most intense battles of the season.
