New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have arrived in Chennai for their second fixture of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 as they take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday. The two teams share a rivalry of their own, and fans famously dub it the “Southern Derby”. Ahead of the cracking encounter, former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson said that RCB would need to tweak their team composition for the five-time IPL winners at Chepauk.
Although RCB are coming off a fine win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), but Watson is of the opinion that they will face a bugger task in Chennai. To suit the demands of the pitch there, RCB needs a few changes. “It’s going to be a huge challenge for RCB to go to Chepauk, specially given the quality of bowlers CSK have at their disposal.
RCB will likely need to adjust its team composition to counter CSK’s strengths. But make no mistake – Chepauk is a fortress,” Watson, who is a JioStar expert, said. The 42-year-old Australian has played for both CSK and RCB in his IPL career and cited the presence of quality spinners in Chennai’s squad as the primary reason why they are a force to be reckoned with at their home venue.
CSK’s entire setup is built around excelling in Chennai. Just look at the three spinners who bowled brilliantly in their opening game against MI – Ashwin, Jadeja, and Noor Ahmad. They are going to be a real handful on that surface,” he added.
KKR trump RR in Guwahati
In a turnaround, the KKR defeated the Rajasthan Royals by eight wickets in Guwahati on Wednesday, rising from the loss against RCB in the opener. Watson, who also played for RR in his IPL career, said that the RR batters struggled to find their timing and made some execution errors. He also highlighted the quality of KKR’s spin attack, including Moeen Ali and Varun Chakravarthy, while comparing them with RR bowlers, specially in the middle overs, as they lacked the potency.
After thrashing Mumbai Indians at their den, Chennai Super Kings await Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their second fixture of the IPL 2025, what they dub as the “Southern Derby”. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
