In the IPL 2025, Rajat Patidar- led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be taking on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chepauk Stadium. It will be a big contest because RCB is looking for a win in Chennai for 17 years, and CSK is preparing for revenge for what shellacked their qualification last year. However, it’s a tough road for Bengaluru, as their star batter Virat Kohli has a long history of underperforming in Chennai’s Den, which is one of the reasons behind their losing streak in Chepauk.
Virat Kohli’s form and challenges
Virat Kohli has always been an important part of the RCB squad. After proving to be the match-winner in the first match against KKR this season, Kohli’s aggressive approach continues as he confidently tackles spinners like Varun Chakravarthy. However, facing CSK’s trinity of spin comprising Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Noor Ahmad will be a tougher test, especially given their dominance in their previous match against the Mumbai Indians.
Kohli’s Chepauk challenge and struggles
Historically, Kohli has struggled at the Chepauk Stadium, scoring 394 runs from 14 innings at an average of 28.14 and a strike rate of 108.24, with only two half-centuries. Chepauk’s unique pitch conditions, known for favouring spinners, demand a different strategy for Kohli.
Last season, despite initial struggles against spin, Kohli enhanced his game by mixing the slog sweep, which improved his performance. He amassed 319 runs in his first six innings at a strike rate of 141.77 and later collected 422 runs in his next nine innings at a strike rate of 166.14. As Kohli leads RCB against their fierce rivals, the spotlight will be on his ability to adapt and counter CSK’s spin attack, hoping to replicate his batting success from the latter half of last season.
Ashwin is not a problem for Kohli
R Ashwin has never been a problem for Kohli. Since 2010, Kohli only went out once against Ashwin in the tournament. Jadeja took Virat’s wicket thrice, and Noor, in the last two years, managed to beat Virat once. although this trio together have never played against Kohli, so it will be a big challenge for sure.
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