Chennai: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended a 17-year drought at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by a commanding 50 runs in Match 8 of IPL 2025. The victory marked RCB’s first win at the venue since the inaugural IPL season in 2008. However, what stole the spotlight was the touching moment between Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni after the match, as Kohli hugged the CSK legend—a moment that has since gone viral.
RCB’s Dominant Performance at Chepauk
RCB delivered a clinical all-round performance to hand CSK their heaviest-ever defeat at Chepauk. Batting first, they posted a competitive total with multiple contributions from their batters. Phil Salt’s aggressive 32 off 16 balls set the tone, while Virat Kohli (31 off 30), Devdutt Padikkal (27 off 14), and Tim David’s late flourish (22* off 8) ensured a strong finish.
In response, CSK struggled under scoreboard pressure, with early breakthroughs from Josh Hazlewood (3/21) setting the tone for RCB’s dominant bowling display. Yash Dayal (2/18) and Liam Livingstone (2/28) further dismantled CSK’s batting lineup.
CSK’s Struggles and Dhoni’s Lone Fight
Chasing RCB’s total, CSK faced immediate setbacks as Hazlewood removed Rahul Tripathi (5) and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (0) in quick succession. Deepak Hooda (4), Sam Curran (8), and Rachin Ravindra (41) failed to stabilize the innings, leaving CSK reeling at 75/5 in the 12th over.
Despite late resistance from Shivam Dube (19), Ravindra Jadeja (25), and MS Dhoni’s explosive unbeaten 30 off 16 balls, CSK fell well short of the target. Dhoni’s two sixes in the final over and his record-breaking milestone—becoming CSK’s highest IPL run-scorer with 4699 runs, surpassing Suresh Raina—were among the few bright spots for the home team.
Kohli and Dhoni’s Viral Moment
After the match, Kohli’s warm embrace of Dhoni became an emotional highlight for fans. Their camaraderie, built over years of fierce competition and mutual respect, resonated deeply with cricket lovers. The moment, captured on camera, quickly spread across social media, earning praise from fans and former cricketers alike.
With this emphatic win, RCB has not only rewritten history at Chepauk but also signaled their intent for IPL 2025. Meanwhile, CSK will be looking to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.
