Live Cricket Update: RCB vs CSK – 52nd Match – Kohli vs Dhoni at the Chinnaswamy | ESPNcricinfo Live Report
Date: May 3, 2025
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Source: ESPNcricinfo Live Update
When Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lock horns with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the air always crackles with tension, nostalgia, and cricketing passion. Match 52 of the 2025 Indian Premier League has given fans yet another unforgettable evening — the iconic clash of two legends: Virat Kohli vs MS Dhoni, right at the heart of the roaring Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Kohli vs Dhoni: The Legacy Lives On
This match isn’t just about two franchises. It’s about two titans of Indian cricket — Kohli, the aggressive run-machine, and Dhoni, the calm finisher. Every time they face off, it's more than a game; it’s a spectacle.
Fans packed into the stadium hours before the toss, chanting “RCB! RCB!” while CSK supporters countered with “Thala! Thala!” The crowd was evenly split, but the energy was 100%.
The Toss and Team Lineups
MS Dhoni, in a rare move this season, walked out for the toss himself, leading to a huge cheer from the CSK faithful. RCB won the toss and chose to bat first, putting the pressure squarely on CSK’s bowling unit.
RCB Playing XI:
Virat Kohli (c), Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mahipal Lomror, Mohammed Siraj, Karn Sharma, Reece Topley, Yash Dayal, Cameron Green
CSK Playing XI:
MS Dhoni (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Ben Stokes, Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Rachin Ravindra
First Innings: Kohli in Beast Mode
Kohli gave the crowd what they came for — a masterclass in controlled aggression. With Faf du Plessis falling early to Deepak Chahar, Kohli anchored the innings with a fluent 71 off 45 balls, driving and flicking with trademark elegance.
Glenn Maxwell added fireworks in the middle overs, smashing 41 off 21, including back-to-back sixes off Jadeja. But the moment that stole hearts was a brief face-off between Kohli and Dhoni during a DRS review — mutual respect and old-school rivalry on display.
RCB finished with a strong 189/6 in 20 overs.
Second Innings: Dhoni's Late Surge
CSK’s chase began cautiously. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Conway struggled to find the gaps early on, and the pressure mounted as Siraj and Topley bowled tight lines.
Then came the familiar script.
MS Dhoni, walking in at No. 6, with CSK needing 68 off 30 balls, turned back the clock. A six over deep mid-wicket, a helicopter shot off Green, and a cheeky scoop left fans gasping.
But it was not to be. Yash Dayal bowled a brilliant last over, defending 12 runs to seal the game for RCB. CSK ended at 184/7, falling short by just 5 runs.
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