Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik has assured fans of the franchise ahead of the mouth-watering Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The last time they met, RCB beat CSK to qualify for the playoffs. They knocked out five-time IPL winners out of the tournament. In IPL 2025, RCB will play CSK at MA Chidambaram Stadium, a venue where Karthik has played plenty but RCB haven't won since the inaugural edition in 2008.
"We will definitely plan for the CSK match, our second match. We will plan very well, don't take any tension," Karthik said on Cricbuzz while replying to fans' questions.
RCB have had a few injury concerns as well, especially to their overseas picks -- Australia's Josh Hazlewood and England's Jacob Bethell -- who were ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
"No need to worry about RCB pacers, they are all okay at the moment, so don't worry," the former RCB wicketkeeper-batter said.
Before the CSK clash, RCB will lock horns with reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Weeks ahead of the IPL 2025, RCB announced Rajat Patidar as their captain. However, RCB have had their concerns as Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt has not been in form.
“The way he led Madhya Pradesh during the domestic season was fantastic. A lot of good things players had to say about the way he led the team. So that really encouraged us, and we wanted a new leader considering it’s a fresh group of players and it’s going to be a fresh cycle as well. These two things prompted us to make Rajat our captain," Karthik explained why Patidar was appointed as captain.
RCB's squad for IPL 2025
Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Yash Dayal, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chhikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee.
