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Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru LIVE Score, IPL 2025: ‘Dhoni Review System’ Fails Against Virat Kohli, RCB Cruise vs CSK
The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season is proving to be as thrilling and action-packed as ever, with every match adding to the excitement. One of the standout clashes this season was the contest between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), which took place in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Fans were treated to a high-octane encounter, but it was RCB who emerged victorious, cruising past CSK in a one-sided affair. The match, however, was not without its moments of controversy, including a notable incident involving the ‘Dhoni Review System’—a challenge that didn’t go in CSK’s favor against Virat Kohli and his formidable RCB side.
The Pre-Match Build-Up: High Stakes for CSK and RCB
Both teams entered the game with a lot to prove. Chennai Super Kings, led by the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni, had been in great form, but they were coming off a disappointing loss in their previous match. CSK needed a win to maintain their position in the upper half of the points table. On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore was riding high on confidence, having built a solid squad that blended experience with youthful flair. With Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis at the helm, RCB had looked almost unstoppable, and they were eager to continue their strong run in the tournament.
The crowd at the stadium was buzzing with excitement, particularly in anticipation of the battle between CSK’s experienced campaigners and RCB’s in-form squad. There was also the added spectacle of MS Dhoni going up against his former Indian teammate, Virat Kohli, with the stakes even higher as both captains have a rich history of rivalry in international cricket.
RCB’s Dominant Batting Performance
RCB won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that seemed to pay off immediately. The openers, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, came out with intent. While Faf played the role of an anchor, Kohli was in sublime touch from the very beginning, finding boundaries at will. He played with the kind of fluency that was reminiscent of his best days in T20 cricket.
The CSK bowlers struggled to make inroads. Deepak Chahar and Maheesh Theekshana, both reliable in the past, couldn’t find the right lengths to contain RCB’s attacking top order. Kohli, especially, was taking full advantage of the powerplay overs, dispatching the ball to all corners of the ground. His timing and shot selection were impeccable, and CSK’s bowlers looked helpless as RCB surged towards a massive total.
Kohli’s partnership with Faf was crucial, as the pair added an impressive 120-run opening stand, which set the tone for the rest of the innings. Shivam Dube, RCB’s number three, continued the momentum and added valuable runs in the middle overs. CSK’s bowlers had no answer to the firepower from RCB’s top order, with only Ravindra Jadeja being able to apply a bit of control in the middle overs.
RCB’s Final Score: 200/3 in 20 overs—a daunting total that seemed to be out of CSK’s reach.
The ‘Dhoni Review System’ Incident: A Turning Point
As the match unfolded, it was clear that RCB was on track for a dominant victory. However, one of the key moments that fans are likely to remember was the ‘Dhoni Review System’, which has become a trademark of MS Dhoni’s leadership style. The incident occurred during the 14th over of RCB’s innings when Virat Kohli was at the crease and in full flow.
Kohli had played a pull shot off a delivery from Tushar Deshpande that appeared to have hit his gloves before going to the wicketkeeper. As usual, MS Dhoni—ever the tactician—opted to review the on-field umpire’s not-out decision. The CSK camp was confident that there was a faint glove involved, and Dhoni’s decision to review had everyone on the edge of their seats.
However, replays showed that while there was a slight glove involved, the ball had passed marginally over the stumps, which led to the review being overturned. The ‘Dhoni Review System’, a method known for its high success rate, had failed on this occasion, leaving Dhoni visibly frustrated.
This moment was significant, not just because of the failed review, but because it showed how even the most experienced captains can be caught in tricky situations. While Kohli remained at the crease, the review system failure did not seem to affect his confidence. In fact, Kohli seemed to use it as a motivational boost, powering RCB to an even higher total in the remaining overs.
CSK’s Batting Chase: Struggles Against RCB’s Tight Bowling
When it was CSK’s turn to chase the challenging total, they needed a strong start. However, it was soon evident that RCB’s bowlers were in no mood to give any freebies. Mohammad Siraj, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Harshal Patel were all in excellent form, and they kept the CSK batters under pressure from the very first over.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway, two of CSK’s most reliable openers, tried to build a partnership, but the pressure of chasing 200-plus was evident. Siraj’s pace and Hasaranga’s leg-spin were difficult to handle, and CSK’s top order couldn’t find any rhythm. Gaikwad, especially, struggled to get going and was eventually dismissed by Harshal Patel in the 7th over.
The middle-order, featuring the likes of Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, and MS Dhoni, could never get into a position to accelerate the scoring rate. Despite some late hitting from Dhoni and Dube, RCB’s bowlers ensured that the required run rate continued to climb.
By the 15th over, CSK’s run rate had risen to almost 12 per over, and it was clear that their hopes of winning were dwindling rapidly. Hasaranga’s brilliant spell of leg-spin ensured that CSK’s batters couldn’t capitalize on any scoring opportunities, while Siraj’s yorkers in the death overs were a thing of beauty, keeping the CSK batters at bay.
RCB Cruise to Victory
In the end, CSK’s chase fell apart. Despite some late fireworks from MS Dhoni (who managed to hit a few boundaries), the required run rate was always too high. CSK’s total of 173/7 in 20 overs was nowhere near enough to challenge RCB’s total of 200, and RCB walked away with a comfortable win.
RCB won by 27 runs, with Virat Kohli’s stellar innings of 72 runs off 45 balls being the highlight. The comprehensive victory showed RCB’s strength across all departments, from batting to bowling to fielding. They had effectively nullified CSK’s usual flair, with excellent execution in all facets of the game.
The Takeaway: RCB’s Clinical Performance
The match was a masterclass in controlled and clinical cricket from RCB, who showed why they are one of the top contenders for the IPL 2025 title. Virat Kohli’s leadership, combined with RCB’s depth in both batting and bowling, allowed them to dominate the game from start to finish. The failure of the Dhoni Review System was a small blemish in an otherwise flawless performance by the team.
For CSK, the loss highlighted their vulnerabilities, particularly with the bat, and how dependent they are on key individuals like Dhoni and Jadeja to perform under pressure. While they will look to bounce back in their next match, they need to regroup quickly to avoid further slip-ups.
As for RCB, their confidence and momentum will surely be soaring after this victory. With a well-rounded squad and a captain in Virat Kohli who is playing some of his best cricket in recent years, RCB is a team to watch as IPL 2025 progresses.
Final Score:
- RCB: 200/3 in 20 overs
- CSK: 173/7 in 20 overs
- Result: RCB won by 27 runs
The IPL 2025 season continues to thrill, and with RCB’s commanding performance against CSK, they’ve made a strong statement about their title ambitions.
