IPL 2025 CSK vs RCB Best Playing 11 for Both Teams

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar, the leaders in our RCB vs CSK best playing 11 for both teams for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. 

Which are the two most hyped teams in the Indian Premier League universe? It has got to be the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings. While one is hyped for underachieving for the last 17 years even after having some of the biggest names in the squad. Whereas the other team is hyped for being the most successful franchise in the IPL universe with a charismatic leader being associated with them. 

It’s been 17 years since the inception of the IPL, and the rivalry of RCB and CSK is always an exciting contest to watch. RCB have never won an IPL trophy to date, and CSK have already won it five times. But how has the rivalry unfolded when they are pit against each other? Well of the 33 matches that CSK and RCB have played against each other, CSK have had the upper hand winning 21 matches, and RCB winning just 11 matches with one match ending with a no result.

Fair to say, Chennai Super Kings have been overwhelming favourites when they play the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team. But how are the squads looking for both teams for the current edition of the IPL? Well, both teams will see young Captains in the form of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar. The teams look really good on paper for the IPL 2025 Auction. So, analyzing the squad, let’s look at the best playing 11 comparison for RCB vs CSK for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. 

IPL 2025 Official Squad and Players List for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

Batters: Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Swastik Chikara, Tim David (o) & Virat Kohli

WKs: Jitesh Sharma & Phil Salt (o)

All-rounders: Jacob Bethell (o), Krunal Pandya, Liam Livingstone, Manoj Bhandage, Mohit Rathee, Romario Shephard (o) & Swapnil Singh

Bowlers: Abhinandan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood (o), Lungi Ngidi (o), Nuwan Thushara (o), Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma & Yash Dayal

IPL 2025 Official Squad List for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Batters: Andre Siddharth, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Shaik Rasheed

WKs: Devon Conway (o), MS Dhoni & Vansh Bedi

All-rounders: Anshul Kamboj, Deepak Hooda, Jamie Overton (o), Rachin Ravindra (o), Ramakrishna Ghosh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran (o), Shivam Dube & Vijay Shankar

Bowlers: Gurjapneet Singh, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana (o), Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis (o), Noor Ahmad (o) & Shreyas Gopal

RCB vs CSK Best Playing 11 Comparison for IPL 2025

If we talk about the best opening combination for RCB and CSK, we are looking at Phil Salt and Virat Kohli for RCB, and most-likely Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra for CSK. There will be a toss-up between Rachin and Conway for the opening slot, but given the current form, and what Rachin did for CSK last year, he should get a nod above Conway. On paper, RCB’s opening combination looks more dangerous than what CSK have. However, that doesn’t mean CSK’s opening combination is bad. It is equally good in terms of potential. 

Coming to middle-order, RCB will see Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, and Jitesh Sharma among the strong batters. Whereas CSK will see a new middle-order in the form of Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda. On paper, once again, it feels RCB look strong with all three batters having good IPL experience, and also International experience. CSK, on the other hand, will rely on Shivam Dube, and will have to extract the best out of Rahul Tripathi and Deepak Hooda.

Coming to the finishers, RCB have Tim David, Krunal Pandya, and Rasikh Dar among potential names. Whereas CSK have Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, and Sam Curran among potential options. This is an area that feels CSK have a better finishing attack. All three CSK finishers have solid experience, and are more equipped as compared to RCB, who will rely heavily on Tim David. In terms of batting depth, both have batting till 8, but Ashwin at 9 adds more variety to CSK. 

IPL 2025 Bowling up – RCB vs CSK

Talking about the bowling lineup, we should see Bhuvneshwar Kumar leading the pace duties for RCB, and Krunal Pandya leading the spin duties. Whereas for CSK, we will have Matheesha Pathirana leading the pace duties, and Ravichandran Ashwin leading the spin duties. The leader of the attack for both teams is decent, but CSK’s leading bowling attack feels stronger with more experience and variety under their belt. 

Supporting these bowlers are Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, and Rasikh Dar in the RCB camp. Whereas in the CSK camp, we have Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Noor Ahmad, and others. Once again, if we compare the bowling attack, CSK have more variety and experience, and will be able to thrive on kinds of wickets. Whereas RCB’s bowling looks weaker on paper, and may struggle more on spin-friendly wickets. 

IPL 2025 RCB vs CSK Best Playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
2. Rachin Ravindra
3. Rahul Tripathi
4. Shivam Dube
5. Deepak Hooda
6. Ravindra Jadeja
7. MS Dhoni (wk)
8. Sam Curran
9. Ravichandran Ashwin
10. Khaleel Ahmed
11. Matheesha Pathirana
12. Noor Ahmad (Impact Player)

IPL 2025 RCB vs CSK Best Playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru

1. Virat Kohli
2. Phil Salt
3. Rajat Patidar (c)
4. Liam Livingstone
5. Tim David
6. Jitesh Sharma
7. Krunal Pandya
8. Rasikh Dar
9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
10. Josh Hazlewood
11. Yash Dayal
12. Suyash Sharma (Impact Player)

So, that’s about the best playing 11 comparison for RCB vs CSK for IPL 2025. Overall, RCB have a good opening combination and middle-order. Whereaas CSK have brilliant finishers with them, and have a better bowling attack. If these two play against each other, it should be CSK, who will have the upper hand in Chennai, and RCB, who may have the upper hand in Bengaluru. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for RCB vs CSK clash in IPL 2025? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.