CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad makes Virat Kohli admission, says 'whenever he is in the opposition ...'

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Chennai Super Kings’ skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad is eagerly anticipating the clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, especially with Virat Kohli posing a noteworthy challenge. Gaikwad appreciates Kohli’s consistent high-level performance which makes every match against RCB highly anticipated. The match’s significance is amplified by CSK’s strong spin attack, looking to exploit RCB’s vulnerabilities at Chepauk.

NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has acknowledged the sheer impact of facing Virat Kohli in the IPL, highlighting how any match featuring the RCB batting stalwart automatically becomes a high-stakes battle.

Speaking on JioStar’s “Star Nahi Far” initiative, Gaikwad expressed his excitement about the upcoming clash between CSK and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), particularly with Rajat Patidar leading the opposition.

“Really looking forward to playing against RCB, especially with Rajat (Patidar) as the new captain. Immediately when they announced Rajat as the captain, I messaged him and wished him good luck. We have been friends for a while now, we know each other really well, and obviously, RCB has been one of the strongest teams,” Gaikwad said.

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However, the CSK captain was quick to highlight the ever-present challenge of facing Virat Kohli.

“They have done really well every year now. And whenever Virat Kohli is in the opposition, whenever he is playing, it is always a clash to look forward to. He’s been doing it for a really long time now, consistently for RCB and for the country as well. So, it is always a great match, and after Mumbai Indians, this is the second match we always look forward to,” Gaikwad added.

RCB’s battle against CSK at Chepauk is as much about history as it is about current form.

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The Bengaluru-based franchise has only managed a single win at this venue in IPL history, dating back to 2008. With the conditions heavily favoring spin, CSK will look to exploit RCB’s vulnerabilities on a turning track.

With Ravichandran Ashwin rejoining forces with Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad, CSK’s spin department looks formidable.

Their recent success against Mumbai Indians, where they dismantled the batting lineup by restricting them to just 70 runs for five wickets in 11 overs, further highlights their dominance.

Ruturaj Gaikwad on Facing RCB and Virat Kohli | Star Nahi Far | #IPLonJioStar

For RCB, Virat Kohli’s battle against spin will be a key subplot.

His recent improvements in playing spin — especially his use of sweeps and slog sweeps — will be tested against CSK’s attack. But for RCB to stand a chance, support from the likes of Phil Salt, Krunal Pandya, and Tim David will be crucial.

Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don’t miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.

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