Aakash Chopra, a former player for India, has praised the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) hitters for playing aggressively against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their IPL 2025 match. He pointed out that the other batsmen compensated for Virat Kohli’s difficulty in pushing the pace.
On Friday, March 28, RCB set CSK a lofty 197-run target in Chennai, even though Kohli took 30 deliveries for his 31 runs. After that, the visitors held Ruturaj Gaikwad and company to 146/8, securing a decisive 50-run victory and solidifying their top spot in the IPL 2025 points standings.
Aakash Chopra described RCB’s batting performance through a YouTube video where he pointed out that Padikkal (27 off 14) and Salt (32 off 16) provided offensive batting to compensate for Kohli’s restrained approach.
“The overriding theme was that they had depth and would keep going aggressive, irrespective of what was happening. Phil Salt first started hitting fours and sixes. MS Dhoni’s hands and Noor Ahmad’s ball were incredible.
Aakash Chopra
“No one will talk about Devdutt Padikkal because it was a short knock. However, it should be talked about because Devdutt Padikkal picked up the momentum from where Salt left. Virat Kohli was playing a run-a-ball at the other end. He was actually struggling, but that can happen.”
Aakash Chopra
Rajat Patidar, the captain of the RCB, was commended by the cricketer-turned-commentator for sticking to his aggressive style.
“Then comes the captain. He wasn’t playing very well at the start. He played a few good shots and then was dropped multiple times. However, he was adamant that he would walk the talk as a captain. He said he doesn’t have to put a price tag on his wicket. He adopted a selfless approach. Some people might say he was reckless, but T20 cricket allows you to be reckless.”
Aakash Chopra
Tim David had a pivotal cameo (22* off 8) that Aakash Chopra also praised. He pointed out that the RCB big hitter smashed three sixes and a four, scoring all of his runs via boundaries.
“That is a bit of a problem” – Aakash Chopra on CSK’s spin-bowling issues in IPL 2025 loss to RCB
In the same video, Aakash Chopra reflected on CSK’s bowling, pointing out that Ravindra Jadeja (0/37 in three overs) and Ravichandran Ashwin (1/22 in two overs) were costly and didn’t bowl their entire allotted number of overs against RCB.
“Ravichandran Ashwin bowled only two overs. He picked up a wicket but was very expensive. Ravindra Jadeja didn’t complete his spell. So that is a bit of a problem because we are saying they have 12 overs of excellent spin, but you will have to bowl spin on the ground.”
Aakash Chopra
The expert went on to say that because of the veteran pair’s subpar performances, CSK was unable to fully utilize their spin-bowling power.
“Ravichandran Ashwin bowled only carrom balls. I am sure he knows why he was doing that, but it did not work out, and Ravindra Jadeja also didn’t bowl the entire four overs. So that is not a good story. If you are a Chennai fan, you will think this is your 12-over spell, but how will it work if you are unable to bowl that? That left a little bit to be desired.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra concluded by saying that CSK benefited from Matheesha Pathirana’s comeback to the starting lineup (2/36 in four overs). He did, however, add that Sam Curran (0/34 in three overs) was deemed inadequate, particularly after Tim David hit him for three straight sixes in the last over.
