A win over CSK will not only take RCB to the top of the table, but will also confirm their berth in the playoffs.
Bangalore as Royal Challengers on 3 May. Created for his marquee clash against Chennai Super Kings at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, there is a serene confidence in the surrounding side of the silver Patidar. The Red and Gold Brigade has been one of the most consistent teams in IPL 2025, winning seven matches.
RCB’s rise in this season is not about forest-man heroines, but under pressure is a harmonious, balanced side. Under Patidar, this unit has displayed discipline and strategic flexibility. Whether it is a batting unit led by Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, and Patidar, or the bowling attack by Josh Hazelwood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya is martial, this side is all ticking on the right boxes.
Set to return phil salt; Jacob Bethel is likely to make way
The only uncertainty that goes into CSK stability revolves around the opening slot. Phil Salat launched the last match against Delhi Capital (DC) due to fever, paving young English batsman Jacob Bethel to make his debut.
While Bethel showed the shine of the intention, he scored 12 runs off only 6 balls before he was dismissed. With salt, it is now allegedly recovering and is in touch with the medical team, optimism at the RCB camp is that he can return to this high-voltage stability on time.
Salt’s inclusion will restore aggressive-ruler balance at the top of the order with Kohli. The pair have worked together throughout the season – working hard in the powerplay, while Kohli manufactures anchor and innings. If fit, it seems most likely to change the sheet to XI, with Bethel making way.
Otherwise a well -balanced RCB team
Beyond the potential return of salt, RCB is unlikely to tinker with its play XI. Devdutt Padikkal and Silver Patidar have been solid in the middle order, while the lower-middle order, including Romario Shepherd, Tim David and Jitesh Sharma, provides both power and flexibility.
Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma have been RCB’s Go-Two Spin Options-especially in the mid-over-while Hazelwood, Bhubaneswar, and Yash Dayal’s speed attacks provide experience, variation and control. Importantly, the role of the impact player is used smartly, in which Suyash often steps on the basis of situations and match scenario.
RCB predicted to play XI vs CSK
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Phil Salt | Right hand batsman |
| Virat Kohli | Right hand batsman |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Left hand batsman |
| Silver Patidar (C) | Right hand batsman |
| Roomario shepherd | All -round |
| Jitesh Sharma | Right hand batsman (wk) |
| Tim david | Right hand batsman |
| Krunal Pandya | All-rounder (left hand spin) |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Right hand pace |
| Josh hazalwood | Right hand pace |
| Yash Dayal | Leftist pacer |
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