Royal Challengers Bengaluru smash CSK, shorten in market

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the new favourites to win the 2025 IPL across leading cricket betting sites after thrashing the Chennai Super Kings by 50 runs in Chennai on Friday.

Rajat Patidar (51 from 32) and Josh Hazlewood (3/21) were the stars in RCB’s second-straight upset victory, which had them bat first and make a competitive 196/7.

Coming into the match as $2.10 underdogs at BetOnline, Bengaluru did well on a tricky Chennai pitch with each of their top seven making healthy contributions.

Virat Kohli (31 from 30) was slow initially, but Phil Salt (32 from 16) and Devdutt Padikkal (27 from 14) ensured that Bengaluru moved along at a healthy pace.

After both fell, captain Patidar played an anchoring role, while Liam Livingstone (10 from 9) and Jitesh Sharma (12 from 6) kept the scoreboard moving along before Tim David (22 from 8) played another brilliant cameo late in the innings.

Set a target of 197 to win, Chennai were in trouble early.

Aussie pacer Hazlewood removed both Rahul Tripathi (5 from 3) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (0 from 4) in his first over to leave CSK at 8/2 after two overs.

Wickets continued to fall cheaply as Deepak Hooda (4 from 9) and Sam Curran (8 from 13) also misfired, with just Kiwi Rachin Ravindra (41 from 31) troubling the RCB bowlers.

The lower order gave a bit more resistance as Ravindra Jadeja made 25 from 19 and veteran wicketkeeper MS Dhoni cracked 30 from 16, but it was too little, too late as CSK stuttered to 146/8, 50 runs shy of their target.

“Feeling nice and fresh, as a group tonight we were outstanding,” Hazlewood said after the match.

“Improved from our last game against KKR.

“Made good use of the conditions and did well as a pace and spin unit.

“The energy was great, the effort from the fielding group was excellent, saving runs and taking catches.

“It really lifts us up as bowlers.”

Chennai had been title favourites coming into the match at top bookmakers, but they now fall to the fourth line of betting ($7.50).

RCB, meanwhile, shortened to $5, ahead of the Sunrisers Hyderabad ($5.50) and Mumbai Indians ($7) for the 2025 IPL season.

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