The Chennai Super Kings were taken by surprise in the much-hyped IPL 2025 showdown at Chepauk, where the Royal Challengers Bangalore, captained by Rajat Patidar, seized a remarkable 50-run victory. The game, however, became infamous—not just for the result—but for Patidar’s cunning strategy reminiscent of Gautam Gambhir’s past tactics, which effectively hampered MS Dhoni’s typical aggressive play.
Many fans experienced a sense of déjà vu as Patidar employed a fielding scheme strikingly similar to that once used by Gambhir during his KKR captaincy against Dhoni. Entering the crease at number nine, Dhoni was quickly fenced in by RCB’s tight field positioning. Patidar encircled him with strategically placed fielders, denying Dhoni his usual maneuvers for singles and forcing him into risky strokes or dot balls.
Mirroring Gambhir’s once-upon-a-time defensive strategy, Patidar strategically stationed his men at cover, mid-wicket, mid-on, a close short leg, and even a slip, making runs hard to come by. This clever setup rapidly gained traction on social media, inviting comparisons to Gambhir’s successful ploys in past IPL duels. Former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu praised RCB’s field arrangements as a calculated plan to stymie one of cricket’s most revered finishers.
In the match itself, RCB shone by dismantling CSK’s lineup completely, thanks to a disciplined bowling attack led by Josh Hazlewood with figures of 3/21, along with Yash Dayal and Liam Livingstone chipping in. The top order of CSK, which included Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unfortunate golden duck, as well as lackluster performances from Rahul Tripathi and Deepak Hooda, failed to establish a momentum. Despite Ravindra Jadeja’s attempts to stage a comeback, CSK fell short by a wide margin.
Saturday’s victory at Chepauk ended a 17-year drought for RCB and highlighted a pivotal transformation in their tactics under Patidar’s captaincy. His Gambhir-like field placements not only restricted Dhoni but also drew admiration for their strategic insight. As CSK plans their recovery, Patidar’s tactical style has marked him as a captain of sharp acumen—potentially setting a strategic blueprint for other teams facing Dhoni in the future.
Fans were vocal in their reactions on social media, drawing parallels to Gambhir’s tactics and applauding Patidar’s strategic prowess with a mix of humor and appreciation. This victory, coupled with Patidar’s tactical shrewdness, reinforces a new chapter for RCB, one marked by strategic brilliance and insightful ground tactics.
