Sunday, April 5, 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | Star Sports & JioHotstar
MATCH OVERVIEW
The IPL 2026 edition roars back to life with csk vs rcb one of its most electrifying southern derbies — defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs five-time title winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK), in Match 11 at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. With contrasting starts to the season, this Sunday evening encounter promises fireworks on the pitch and huge opportunity on your Dream11 team sheet.
RECENT FORM & SQUAD ANALYSIS CSK vs RCB
| Team | Matches Played | Won | Loss | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | 2 | 0 | 2 | Lost to PBKS |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2 | 2 | 0 | Beat SRH by 6 wkts |
Predicted Playing XIs
Probable Playing XIs
| CSK Playing XI | RCB Playing XI |
|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad (c) | Virat Kohli |
| Sanju Samson (wk) | Phil Salt (wk) |
| Ayush Mhatre | Devdutt Padikkal |
| Matt Short | Rajat Patidar (c) |
| Shivam Dube | Tim David |
| Kartik Sharma | Jitesh Sharma |
| Jamie Overton | Krunal Pandya |
| Matt Henry | Romario Shepherd |
| Khaleel Ahmed | Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
| Noor Ahmad | Suyash Sharma |
| Anshul Kamboj | Jacob Duffy |
Pitch Report & Conditions
Pitch: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is a batting paradise. Short boundaries, a flat red-soil surface, and a fast
outfield mean 200+ scores are common. The last three IPL games here have all crossed 200 in the first
innings. Pacers get some early bounce and carry, while spinners tend to come into play in the middle overs.
Dew in the second innings makes chasing easier — all seven IPL 2026 matches so far have been won by the
chasing side.
Weather: Clear skies are expected in Bengaluru with temperatures around 23–30°C, 65% humidity, and low
wind speed. No rain disruption anticipated — a full 40-over game is guaranteed. The dew factor will be
significant under the lights.
Head-to-Head Record
RCB and CSK have met 35 times in the IPL, with CSK dominating overall — winning 21 matches to RCB’s 13 However, recent momentum firmly sits with RCB, who have won three of the last five encounters, including a historic 50-run victory at Chepauk in 2025, breaking a 17-year losing streak at CSK’s fortress. At Chinnaswamy specifically, RCB hold the edge with 6 wins to CSK’s 5. Virat Kohli leads all run-scorers in this
rivalry with over 1,000 runs, while Ravindra Jadeja tops the wicket-takers chart with 18.
Key Player Battles to Watch
■ Virat Kohli vs Noor Ahmad
Kohli has accumulated 170 runs in his last four innings vs CSK at a strike rate of 136. Noor Ahmad’s flight
and variations pose a unique challenge to the right-hander, but Kohli’s record against spin this season — with only two dismissals in eight innings — makes him the clear favourite.
■ Shivam Dube vs Suyash Sharma
Dube has smashed 65 sixes in 51 T20s since 2025, making him a massive threat. Suyash Sharma’s leg-spin
in the middle overs will be crucial to contain this power-hitter. A wicket here could change the match.
■ Matt Henry vs Phil Salt
Henry’s new-ball aggression against the explosive Phil Salt promises fireworks in the powerplay. If Salt gets
going at Chinnaswamy, CSK could leak runs early.
■ Romario Shepherd vs Anshul Kamboj
Both are death-over specialists. Shepherd’s 3 wickets in RCB’s last match and his 175+ strike rate make him
dangerous in the slog overs, while Kamboj’s four wickets this season make him a key CSK bowler.
Dream11 Prediction & Fantasy Tips
| Role | Player | Team | Why Pick? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | Virat Kohli | RCB | 170 runs in last 4 vs CSK, 69* in IPL 2026 opener |
| Vive-Captain | Shivam Dube | CSK | 65 sixes since 2025; dangerous vs spin at Chinnaswamy |
| Batsman | Devdutt Padikkal | RCB | 61 runs last game; excellent home form |
| Batsman | Ruturaj Gaikwad | CSK | CSK captain; experience at top of order |
| Batsman | Sanju Samson | CSK | SR ~200 in recent T20s; explosive on good surfaces |
| All-Rounder | Romario Shepherd | RCB | 3 wkts last game; SR 175+ in death overs |
| All-Rounder | Krunal Pandya | RCB | Useful spin + can bat; key in middle overs |
| Bowler | Jacob Duffy | RCB | 3/22 last game; Player of Match in IPL 2026 opener |
| Bowler | Noor Ahmad | CSK | Bowls 12 possible overs; key wicket-taker in middle |
| Bowler | Anshul Kamboj | CSK | 4 wickets this season; low ownership differential |
| WK | Phil Salt | RCB | Explosive powerplay; adds WK bonus points |
Fantasy Strategy Tips
Bat-heavy team recommended — Chinnaswamy almost always produces high scores. Load 5–6 batsmen.
Pick 4–5 RCB players — Home advantage, superior form, and batting depth all favour RCB.
Monitor toss — Dew makes chasing easier; toss winner is likely to field first. Adjust picks accordingly.
Differential pick: Anshul Kamboj (low ownership, 4 wickets) for Grand League edge.
Avoid: MS Dhoni (confirmed injured/unavailable for this match).
Match Prediction: RCB to Win
RCB enter as clear favourites — defending champions, home ground, Virat Kohli in red-hot form (69* in the opener), and three consecutive wins against CSK. CSK are winless in 2026 and battling injuries (MS Dhoni, Dewald Brevis both out). While the Yellow Army possesses experience and match-winners like Gaikwad and Matt Henry, their bowling frailties against quality batting lineups remain a concern. Expect a high-scoring thriller, with RCB posting 200+ or chasing successfully under the lights.
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