Just two days after their winning streak at MA Chidambaram Stadium was halted by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are preparing for their next IPL 2025 battle against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati. The spin-friendly surface at Barsapara Cricket Stadium could favor CSK’s strengths, offering them a tactical advantage.
Will CSK Overcome Chase Struggles Against Rajasthan Royals?
Rajasthan Royals are struggling for form, having suffered a crushing defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad and faltering against Kolkata Knight Riders. Entering their second fixture in Sunday’s double-header, RR remains one of the few teams yet to secure a win in IPL 2025.
The Guwahati pitch has favored spin, with notable turn and grip, especially in the first innings. RR’s stand-in captain Riyan Parag acknowledged an aggressive approach cost him in the last match, but his home-ground knowledge could be a major factor in maximizing scoring opportunities.
However, RR’s track record at Guwahati is concerning. They have won just one of their five matches at the venue in the past three IPL seasons. To reverse their fortunes, Parag and the Royals will need a commanding batting performance.
CSK’s Worries With High-Scoring Chases
Chennai Super Kings’ biggest concern remains their struggles in high-run chases. They have lost their last eight games when required to chase targets above 175, despite winning the toss in six of those matches. Their bowling attack, however, remains a strong point and could prove decisive on a slow Guwahati pitch. If RR posts a high total, CSK’s batting unit will face a critical test.
Head-to-Head Record:
- RR: 13 wins | CSK: 16 wins
- Since 2020: RR leads 6-2 against CSK
Match Details:
- Fixture: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, Match 11, IPL 2025
- Date & Time: Sunday, March 30, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
Pitch Report & Conditions:
The Guwahati surface has shown significant turn, making it challenging for batters early on. However, those who settle in can exploit conditions later, particularly in the second innings.
Team News & Predicted Playing XIs:
Rajasthan Royals
Injury Updates:
- Sanju Samson is likely to be unavailable for wicketkeeping and captaincy duties. No other major concerns reported.
Tactics & Key Matchups:
- Jofra Archer and Tushar Deshpande are expected to target Rahul Tripathi and Deepak Hooda with short-pitched bowling, given their vulnerabilities against pace this season.
- Hooda’s average against short balls is just 17.1, while Tripathi’s stands at 15.14.
Predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag (c), Nitish Rana, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Kumar Kartikeya/Sandeep Sharma
Chennai Super Kings
Injury Updates:
- No injuries reported for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led squad.
Tactics & Key Matchups:
- R Ashwin holds a strong record against Sanju Samson, both in restricting his strike rate and dismissing him.
- However, Nitish Rana has dominated Ashwin, scoring at a strike rate of 186+ in IPL, without being dismissed in 58 deliveries.
Predicted XI: Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda/Vijay Shankar, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), R Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana
Key Stats & IPL 2025 Trivia:
- CSK’s Chase Struggles: They haven’t successfully chased a 175+ target in the IPL since 2021.
- RR’s Guwahati Record: Rajasthan Royals have won just one of their last five IPL matches at this venue (since 2023).
- Jadeja’s Wicket Drought: Ravindra Jadeja is yet to pick up a wicket in IPL 2025.
- Hooda’s Inconsistent Form: Deepak Hooda has recorded single-digit scores in 13 of his last 23 IPL innings since 2023.
Match Prediction:
If Rajasthan Royals can set a competitive total, they could challenge CSK’s recent poor chasing record. However, if Chennai’s spinners get into rhythm early, they could control the game on the spin-friendly Guwahati pitch.
Stay tuned for IPL 2025 live updates, match analysis, and expert insights!