CSK vs RCB: Dhoni to finally take field? Likely playing XI, pitch, weather, streaming info

Bengaluru: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will aim to build on a strong start to their title defence when they face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the second game of Sunday’s Indian Premier League (IPL) double-header at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

RCB began their campaign on a positive note with a convincing home win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Opting to field first, they kept the visitors in check at 201, with Jacob Duffy and Romario Shepherd playing key roles by picking up three wickets apiece.

The chase was handled with authority, as Devdutt Padikkal’s explosive 61 off just 26 deliveries, along with an unbeaten 69 from Virat Kohli, guided Bengaluru to a six-wicket victory with plenty of overs remaining.

In contrast, Chennai Super Kings are still searching for their first win of the season after back-to-back setbacks. They were initially outplayed by the Rajasthan Royals and then suffered another defeat at home against the Punjab Kings.

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Despite posting a formidable 209, CSK were unable to defend the total, as Punjab chased it down comfortably with contributions from Shreyas Iyer and Priyansh Arya, sealing the result with time to spare.

With Bengaluru carrying early momentum and Chennai under pressure to respond, the encounter sets up as a crucial early-season test for both sides.

All eyes are on whether Dhoni will feature in the high-stakes encounter. Notably, he was ruled out of the side’s IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday. This marked the second consecutive game he missed this season, having also sat out CSK’s opener against Rajasthan Royals earlier in the week. However, according to emerging reports, the CSK icon is highly unlikely to take the field.

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When: Sunday, April 5, 7:30 PM IST

Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

Where to watch: The RCB vs CSK match will be broadcast by Star Sports Network, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game.

Pitch report

Historically a batter's paradise, the pitch features short boundaries and a rapid outfield that make defending any total a daunting task. Experts suggest that teams batting first must aim for a formidable 220-230 runs to remain competitive.

While fast bowlers will rely heavily on precise yorkers to survive the flat surface, spinners might find minor assistance during the middle overs. Consequently, the toss remains a critical factor; winning captains are expected to opt for fielding first to capitalise on the chase.

Weather forecast

Weather conditions on 5 April are set to be ideal, with clear skies and temperatures hovering around 28°C. However, moderate humidity suggests that dew could impact the second innings, potentially hindering bowlers' grip and further favouring the chasing side.

Probable XIs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma. 12th Player: Abhinandan Singh

Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Matt Short, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj. 12th Player: Sarfaraz Khan

With momentum on their side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will look to continue their winning run and strengthen their position early in the season. Chennai Super Kings, meanwhile, will be desperate to bounce back and register their first victory. The clash promises high intensity as both teams aim to make a strong statement. Fans can expect an exciting contest under the lights in Bengaluru.