For years, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been one of the fiercest rivalries in the IPL. Much like how Manchester United dominated English football in the Ferguson era, CSK held a clear upper hand through the league’s early years. They beat RCB in major clashes, including the 2011 IPL final, and became the more successful and consistent side. RCB, despite star power, often fell short in big moments, and the rivalry remained heavily one-sided.
But the tide has turned. Just as Manchester City have risen to dominate modern football, RCB have recently shifted the balance in the IPL rivalry. In the 2025 season, they beat CSK twice, including a historic win at Chepauk, a venue where RCB had not won since 2008. The IPL 2025 champions now look like the hungrier, and the difference between their set retentions to that of CSK’s major overhaul give away a massive picture.
Phil Salt on CSK vs RCB rivalry and batting with Kohli
England opener Phil Salt, who formed a dangerous opening pair with Virat Kohli at RCB this year, spoke about his experience playing in the rivalry and how intense it feels, comparing it directly to the Manchester Derby.
“Going into Chennai for just my second game with RCB, I knew this wasn’t just another match. The way the guys spoke about it made it clear how big this rivalry is. For me, it felt like a Manchester derby. You could sense the build-up in training, in the media, and in conversations around the group. Once you become aware of that history and that rivalry, you realise just how big that game really is,” Salt said on RCB podcast.
He also spoke about enjoying his partnership with Kohli in the middle and how natural the chemistry felt.“When I got picked by RCB, I felt I suited the franchise. With Virat, there wasn’t a need to talk much. We understood each other well.”
The numbers confirm the scale of the rivalry. Of the 35 IPL meetings, CSK have won 21, RCB have won 13, and one ended without a result. But the last two matches in 2025 went emphatically in RCB’s favour and they look far better team as of now when compared to the five time champions.
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