Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is all set to make his first appearance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday. The swing bowler had missed RCB’s opening match against Kolkata Knight Riders due to a minor injury, as confirmed by the franchise on social media.
RCB began their campaign with a convincing seven-wicket win over KKR, chasing down 175 with ease. While Bhuvneshwar’s absence was notable, the team managed well in his stead. The 35-year-old, bought for ₹10.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction — making him the joint 10th-most expensive Indian player — has since recovered and was seen bowling at full tilt in the nets.
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This is Royal Challenge presents RCB Shorts. #PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/RQhPCFliJn
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 27, 2025
RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik dismissed any lingering fitness concerns, stating at the pre-match press conference on match eve, “As far as I know, there are no issues.”
Bhuvneshwar’s return bolsters RCB’s pace attack, which now features experienced campaigners like Josh Hazlewood. The Australian quick Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar, are both adept at bowling in powerplays and death overs. The addition of Rashikh Salam as a middle and death-overs specialist, along with Yash Dayal and spinner Suyash Sharma gives RCB a well-rounded bowling unit — a significant upgrade from previous seasons.
With Bhuvneshwar back, RCB will aim to maintain their winning momentum against a strong CSK side in Chennai.
CSK vs RCB, IPL 2025 Squads
Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, Ravichandran Ashwin, Devon Conway, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Sam Curran, Shaik Rashid, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary, Deepak Hooda, Gurjanpreet Singh, Nathan Ellis, Jamie Overton, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishnan Ghosh, Shreyas Gopal, Vansh Bedi, Andre Siddarth.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Rasikh Salam, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethel, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chhikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee.
CSK vs RCB, IPL 2025 Predicted XIs
CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Rachin Ravindra, Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni(wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed
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- Impact Sub: Rahul Tripathi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti
RCB: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar