RCB vs CSK – Artifex.News

Padikkal proves his value as an all-format batter

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:51:00 +0000

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Devdutt Padikkal plays a shot during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Prior to 2026, Devdutt Padikkal’s best strike-rate in the IPL was 150.60 (2025). That number was a significant upgrade from his previous best of 130.50 from 2023.

But in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s twin victories this season, Padikkal has struck at a whopping 201.81 and made two half-centuries.

After fine campaigns in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy (543 runs at avg 60.33) and Vijay Hazare Trophy (725 runs at 90.62), the 25-year-old’s effort will only burnish his growing reputation as an elite all-format batter.

“It’s a lot of hard work and self-belief that has helped me get here,” Padikkal said about unlocking his T20 potential. “It wasn’t easy initially. I had to change from the foundation onwards, considering the type of cricket I wanted to play growing up. But RCB has been great in guiding me.”

The standout features have been Padikkal’s acceleration and shot-making range. Against CSK on Sunday, on a lax pitch, he was 16 off 15 balls at one stage. He ended up with 50 from 29, setting the stage for Tim David’s murderous, unbeaten 25-ball 70.

There was a dextrous clip over short-fine off Jamie Overton, a beautiful dance down the track to launch Noor Ahmad over long-on, and an expert reading of a slower delivery from Shivam Dube to send it over wide long-off.

“Even last season, we had a couple of games [at Chinnaswamy] where we struggled early on,” Padikkal said. “We had a conversation that we needed to preserve wickets because when the ball gets older, it’s easier to bat.

“We were not three or four down by the 10-over mark [vs. CSK], and once we managed that, we could just go at every ball.”

Published – April 07, 2026 12:30 am IST

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IPL 2026 | We got a little bit shell-shocked: CSK head coach Fleming on the loss to RCB

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:25:00 +0000

RCB’s Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar, greeted by CSK’s Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson, after the IPL 2026 match between RCB and CSK, played at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru on April 5, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K

To lose the first three games in an IPL season is a hellish scenario. But it is not quite a death-knell. Mumbai Indians lost its first four matches in 2015, and still claimed the trophy. In 2024, Royal Challengers Bengaluru won just one of its first eight fixtures, and yet made it to the playoffs.

But for the Chennai Super Kings faithful, these will bring little succour, for it is not just about the defeats but the manner of them. CSK lost to Rajasthan Royals by eight wickets, to Punjab Kings by five, and to RCB by 43 runs. In the T20 universe, these are like distances between the earth and the moon.

“It was a tough night,” CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said after Sunday’s loss to RCB. “We did some good things early on, but unfortunately lost our shape at the back end. We got a little bit shell-shocked and that flowed through into the early parts of our batting as well.

“Against a hitter like Tim David (70 n.o., 25b), you’ve got to be absolutely spot on. We missed, and got hurt in the hardest of fashions.”

This season, CSK has bet big on young batters like Kartik Sharma (19), Prashant Veer (20) and Ayush Mhatre (18), and Fleming was confident that their potential will eventually shine through.

“It’s going to be a really good core of Indian batters. You’re going to get a bit of inconsistency and also some brilliance. It’s a high-octane pace and there are going to be some speed wobbles. It’s about marrying skill with a bit of game sense, and that does take time.”

Published – April 06, 2026 08:55 pm IST

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A CSK fan in RCB territory: Inside Chinnaswamy for the Southern Derby

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:10:00 +0000

RCB’s fans , during the IPL 2026 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super King (CSK), played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium (KSCA), in Bengaluru on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
| Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K

I feel like Hamza Ali Mazari from Dhurandhar.

Two days before the RCB vs CSK match in Bangalore, I land in the den of the current champions. There is talk of the big clash everywhere I go — hotels, shopping streets and vegetable shops — even as the quest for tickets reaches a feverish high.

Like any good spy, I slowly slip into RCB-land, trying to find clues that will help the men in yellow on the big evening. Overhearing fan strategies and choice of players is a big part of this. The most interesting aspect of any cricket match, especially a big one, is the tonnes of speculation and planning that we fans put into it, fully knowing that it has absolutely zero bearing on what happens on ground.

This is the Southern Derby. This is one of the biggest clashes in the IPL — in terms of hype and fervour. This is RCB taking on the CSK in Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, a battle between an in-form men in red and a relatively-weak men in yellow for sporting glory.

Match day

As I board the Bengaluru Metro headed to Cubbon Park station, all eyes are on me.

In a packed coach dominated by about hundred Royal Challengers Bangalore jerseys, I stand out. I’m wearing a bright yellow Chennai Super Kings jersey and cap, somewhat an oddity in the sea of red.

“Are you a CSK supporter,” a fan asks, tapping my shoulder, “We’re the champions from last year. You guys don’t stand a chance.”

Chinnaswamy Stadium
| Photo Credit:
Srinivasa Ramanujam

Outside the famous Chinnaswamy Stadium, the tremors increase. An RCB fan, armed with a red flag, has embossed the three letters of the team on her cheeks. “You made some bad decisions at the auction. This isn’t the mighty CSK team anymore,” she quips, as we make our way into the stadium.

Chinnaswamy Stadium — or the home of RCB — has a certain energy of its own. Buzzing with Bengaluru supporters, many of whom are inside way before the toss, the excitement is palpable.

The men in yellow have an average outing in the first hour, after which RCB’s T David decided to go berserk. They posted 250 runs, a monumental score for any team, leave alone an out-of-form CSK. The chase is anything but memorable, with the men in yellow losing wickets in a hurry — prompting the announcer and stadium DJ to go on an overdrive, with wry statements like, “This Chennai Express is headed fast, back to their own dressing room.”

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s fans carrying a large banner cheer from the stands during the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on April 5, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
AFP

Unfortunately for a handful of CSK fans like me, it indeed was fast.

The Metro ride back home was another sob story, with RCB fans offering commiserations. “Very weak team,” someone told me, even as I tried to tuck my bright yellow cap inside my pocket.

The Southern Derby had ended on a rather sad note. I was crestfallen. This Dhurandhar-like mission was anything but a blockbuster.

Published – April 06, 2026 04:50 pm IST

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IPL 2026: Padikkal enhances his reputation as an elite all-format batter

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:30:00 +0000

The standout features of Devdutt Padikkal’s batting this IPL have been his acceleration and shot-making range.
| Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar

Prior to 2026, Devdutt Padikkal’s best strike-rate in the IPL was 150.60 (2025). That number was a significant upgrade from his previous best of 130.50 from 2023.

But in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s twin victories this season, Padikkal has struck at a whopping 201.81 and made two half-centuries.

After fine campaigns in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy (543 runs at an average of 60.33) and Vijay Hazare Trophy (725 runs at 90.62), the 25-year-old’s effort will only burnish his growing reputation as an elite all-format batter.

The standout features have been Padikkal’s acceleration and shot-making range. Against CSK on Sunday (April 5, 2026), on a lax pitch, he was 16 off 15 balls at one stage. He ended up with 50 from 29, setting the stage for Tim David’s murderous, unbeaten 25-ball 70.

“We were not three or four down by the 10-over mark [vs. CSK], and once we managed that, we could just go at every ball”.

Published – April 06, 2026 07:00 pm IST

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IPL 2024: Royal Challengers dethrone Super Kings, enter playoffs

admin — Sat, 18 May 2024 13:42:38 +0000

Royal Challengers Bengaluru players celebrate after winning a crucial match against the Chennai Super Kings at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: K BHAGYA PRAKASH

When Royal Challengers Bengaluru went on a five-match winning run after hanging on to its fingernails for much of the season, even its most ardent fans wouldn’t have believed that their team’s stars had aligned.

But, on Saturday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the most definitive proof for it emerged as RCB beat Chennai Super Kings by 27 runs to qualify for the playoffs.

Rain didn’t play spoilsport as it was expected to.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans celebrate after Bengaluru won the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 cricket match against Chennai Super Kings, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Saturday, May 18, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
PTI

RCB lost the toss and put on a splendid batting show. And even the best efforts of Ravindra Jadeja (42 n.o., 22b, 3×4, 3×6) and M.S. Dhoni (25, 13b, 3×4, 1×6) couldn’t salvage things for CSK.

RCB made 218, effectively setting CSK 201 to qualify. Jadeja and Dhoni took their side from 129 for six after 15 overs to 184 for six after 19. When Dhoni smashed the first ball of Yash Dayal’s last over out of the ground, it appeared as if RCB had contrived to miss out. But Dayal dismissed Dhoni and held his nerve to carry his side through.

CSK, in fact, appeared well placed at 85 for two with Rachin Ravindra (61b, 37b, 5×4, 3×6) and Ajinkya Rahane (33, 22b, 3×4, 1×6) batting. But it slumped to 119 for five as Lockie Ferguson prised out Rahane, Shivam Dube struggled (7, 15b) and Ravindra was run out. Dhoni Jand adeja brought CSK close to the target, but it was not to be.

Earlier, RCB’s PowerPlay (42 runs) was punctuated by a 41-minute rain break and batting on either side seemed like chalk and cheese. The ball gripped and turned after the interruption as Maheesh Theekshana and Mitchell Santner revelled. Only when the length was marginally fuller did the scoreboard tick, with Virat Kohli (47, 29b, 3×4, 4×6) collecting two slog-swept sixes. A third such attempt to hit against the turn, however, cost him.

Rajat Patidar joined skipper Faf du Plessis (54, 39b, 3×4, 3×6) and was quickly off the blocks, smashing Theekshana over long-off and Simarjeet Singh over fine-leg. But an unfortunate run out ended du Plessis’ stay, curtailing an ominous-looking association.

Cameron Green (38 n.o., 17b, 3×4, 3×6) and Patidar (41, 23b, 2×4, 4×6) put on 71 runs from just 28 balls, with Ruturaj Gaikwad even dropping the burly Australian on 18. Cameos from Dinesh Karthik (14, 6b, 1×4, 1×6) and Glenn Maxwell (16, 5b, 2×4, 1×6) gave RCB the cushion which ultimately proved worth of qualification.

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IPL 2024: Will the fickle Bengaluru weather spoil the Kohli-Dhoni shoot-out?

admin — Fri, 17 May 2024 16:14:38 +0000

Rain clouds hover around the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, during training ahead of the IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), in Bengaluru on May 17, 2024
| Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar

Bengaluru’s weather is so notoriously fickle that its tantrums have acquired cult status. On May 18, the city faithful will be praying that it behaves, for a washout against Chennai Super Kings will send their beloved Royal Challengers Bengaluru out.

There is indeed an inglorious tradition of rain affecting at least one RCB home game in an IPL season. An unrelenting summer has ensured that RCB has dodged the bullet six times in the 2024 edition.

However, Saturday’s forecast is for good amounts of precipitation, and it seems like luck may have finally run out.

Scope for hope

There is, of course, the state-of-the-art SubAir drainage system that can get the ground ready in no time. And if the skies relent for two hours, a five-over match is eminently possible. But would five overs do justice to a clash that will be one of the last times Virat Kohli and M.S. Dhoni face-off?

Another variable is the pitch. This season, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has been far from the batting paradise it usually is; only twice has the 200-run mark been breached in 12 innings (RCB vs. SRH). But the last time CSK and RCB met in Bengaluru, 444 runs were scored. A repeat is in the hands of the weather gods.

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CSK vs RCB, IPL 2024: Stage set for epic face-off as Bengaluru and Chennai clash for final playoff

admin — Fri, 17 May 2024 08:57:46 +0000

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s fairytale resurgent run will be up against the might of five-time champions Chennai Super Kings and the weather gods when the two sides clash in an epic do-or-die match to decide the fourth and final team for the IPL play-offs, in Bengaluru on May 18.
| Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam/R.V. Moorthy

On Sunday, just over 24 hours after the first ball of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru-Chennai Super Kings contest is sent down at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the last round of fixtures in the English Premier League will commence.

All ten football matches will begin at the same time — both at the start and after half-time — and no team will have the benefit of knowing beforehand what has happened elsewhere. Manchester City and Arsenal are separated by two points at the top and are set for a pulsating race to the finish.

Such a level playing field has so far proved alien to the Indian Premier League, and thus, RCB and CSK know exactly what is required of them on Saturday to get into the playoffs.

RCB needs a win, with conditions applied. Assuming there is a full 20-over match and a score of 200, it has to beat CSK by 18 runs or chase down the target with about 11 balls to spare.

Any other result, including a washout — the forecast is for rain — will send CSK through. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s men can potentially zoom up to second if they triumph, and Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals lose on Sunday.

RCB has won five fixtures in a row and it’s a minor miracle that it is still in contention after once being the favourite to collect the wooden spoon.

But with Will Jacks returning to England, all eyes will be on Glenn Maxwell. The 35-year-old has totalled a paltry 36 runs from seven innings this campaign, but a replacement of his calibre is not something many teams have.

CSK has alternated between victory and defeat over the last six games. And against a destructive batting unit like RCB’s, its bowlers have to be spot on. With Englishman Moeen Ali having left the Indian shores, one of Mitchell Santner or Richard Gleeson is likely to play.

Teams (from):

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Faf du Plessis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Suyash Prabhudessai, Will Jacks, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Mayank Dagar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Rajan Kumar, Cameron Green, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Swapnil Singh and Saurav Chauhan.

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra, Ajinkya Rahane, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sameer Rizvi, MS Dhoni (wk), Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Shardul Thakur, Shaik Rasheed, Moeen Ali, Nishant Sindhu, Mitchell Santner, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Prashant Solanki, Mukesh Choudhary, Simarjeet Singh, RS Hangargekar and Aravelly Avanish.

Match starts: 7.30 pm.

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