The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is heating up as Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) prepare to clash in Match 11 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Both teams come into this fixture with contrasting fortunes – CSK suffered their first defeat at home against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), while RR is yet to register a win this season.
With the spin-friendly conditions in Guwahati, both teams will have tactical decisions to make. Can Riyan Parag’s Rajasthan Royals break their home jinx, or will Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Chennai Super Kings capitalize on their strong bowling attack to get back to winning ways?
CSK’s Chase Woes: Can They Overcome Their Struggles?
Despite their reputation as one of the most successful IPL franchises, CSK has struggled while chasing big totals. They have failed to win any of their last eight run chases above 175, despite winning the toss in six of those games.
Their latest loss against RCB exposed these issues, and while their bowling attack remains strong, their ability to handle pressure in chases remains questionable. The return to a turning pitch in Guwahati could work in their favor, considering the strength of their spinners.
RR’s Home Struggles: Can They Finally Turn It Around?
Rajasthan Royals have played five matches in Guwahati since 2023, with just one win to show for their efforts. The pitch in their last match at the venue had turn and uneven bounce, making stroke-making difficult, especially in the first innings.
Captain Riyan Parag, who has stepped in as the stand-in skipper, admitted that he went too hard too early in the last game. However, he remains confident about maximizing the scoring opportunities on his home turf. RR will need Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shimron Hetmyer to step up with the bat to overcome CSK’s spin-heavy attack.
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
- Weather Forecast: Clear skies with no rain expected. The temperature will be around 28-30°C, with some humidity.
Pitch Report: Spinners Set to Dominate
The Barsapara pitch in Guwahati has shown considerable turn, making it a difficult surface for batters early on. The ball holds up a bit, making timing tricky, but batters who settle in can cash in later.
With spinners expected to play a major role, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, and Wanindu Hasaranga will be crucial for their respective sides.
Head-to-Head Record: CSK Holds the Edge, But RR’s Recent Dominance Stands Out
- Total Matches: 29
- CSK Wins: 16
- RR Wins: 13
- Recent Record (since IPL 2020): RR has won 6 out of the last 8 games against CSK.
This recent record gives RR the psychological edge, but CSK’s overall experience could be a major factor in this game.
Team Previews and Tactical Insights
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Injury & Availability:
- Sanju Samson is expected to be away from wicketkeeping and captaincy duties, handing the leadership to Riyan Parag.
- No other injury concerns have been reported.
Tactics & Key Matchups:
- Jofra Archer and Tushar Deshpande vs Rahul Tripathi & Deepak Hooda:
- Both batters struggled against short-pitched bowling in the RCB match.
- Tripathi was dismissed by Deepak Chahar in CSK’s opening game.
- Against short-pitched deliveries, Hooda averages 17.1, while Tripathi averages 15.14.
Probable Playing XII: 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 (CSK)
Injury & Availability:
- No injury concerns for CSK.
Tactics & Key Matchups:
- R Ashwin vs Sanju Samson:
- Ashwin has a strong record against Samson, both in restricting him and dismissing him.
- However, Nitish Rana has scored at a strike rate of 186+ against Ashwin, without ever being dismissed in 58 balls.
Probable Playing XII: 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 to Watch
- CSK’s Chase Struggles:
- CSK hasn’t successfully chased a 175+ total since IPL 2021.
- RR’s Guwahati Record:
- Have played five matches here since 2023, with just one win.
- Ravindra Jadeja’s Form:
- Jadeja is yet to pick up a wicket this season despite bowling in two matches.
- Deepak Hooda’s Recent Batting Struggles:
- Hooda has registered a single-digit score in 13 of his last 23 IPL innings since 2023.
With spin playing a crucial role, this game is expected to be a low-scoring, tactical battle. CSK’s bowling strength gives them a clear advantage, but their chasing issues could cost them again if RR manages to set a big total.
On the other hand, RR will need their key batters to deliver, especially Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag, to stand a chance against CSK’s experienced spin attack. If CSK bats second, their recent poor chasing form could tilt the balance in RR’s favor.
Expect a thrilling contest, where the battle of spinners and how teams manage their middle overs will be the deciding factors.