CSK vs RCB, IPL 2025: Shane Watson Feels Royal Challengers Bengaluru Will Face Huge Spin Challenge at Chepauk

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Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson believes Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face a huge challenge in their next IPL 2025 encounter against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday (March 28).

The Royal Challengers are coming off a fine win over Kolkata Knight Riders, but Watson believes that they will face a bigger challenge against Chennai, where the trio of spinners stood out in their season opener against Mumbai Indians last week.

Watson, who had stints at both the teams during his IPL career, said RCB will have to tweak their team composition to suit the demands of the Chepauk pitch in their outing against CSK.

"It's going to be a huge challenge for RCB to go to Chepauk, especially given the quality of bowlers CSK have at their disposal. RCB will likely need to adjust their team composition to counter CSK's strengths. But make no mistake - Chepauk is a fortress," said Watson, a JioStar expert.

Watson also cited the presence of quality spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad in Chennai's ranks as primary reason for their dominance at their home venue.

"CSK's entire setup is built around excelling in Chennai. Just look at the three spinners who bowled brilliantly in their opening game against MI - Ashwin, Jadeja, and Noor Ahmad. They are going to be a real handful on that surface.

"Seeing Noor Ahmad make such an impact in his first game for CSK will only boost the team's confidence, knowing they have another wicket-taking option," he added.

RCB lack an out-and-out spinner in their squad, but Krunal Pandya stepped up big time to turn the KKR tie in his team's favour. The experienced all-rounder will have a huge role to play against CSK alongside the likes of Suyash Sharma and possibly Liam Livingstone.

CSK, on the other hand, have more options as Noor Ahmad announced his arrival to the Chepauk with a four-wicket haul in his first appearance in the yellow jersey, while R Ashwin also had a decent second coming to his hometown franchise.

On Friday, Noor, Ashwin and Jadeja are once again expected to test the RCB batting line up which features Kohli, Phil Salt, Livingstone, Tim David, skipper Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma.