In the next IPL 2025 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a few crucial player battles will decide the fate of the game. These encounters will see some thrilling head-to-heads, and the players concerned will be vital for their teams. Let's have a closer look at four crucial player battles to watch out for. Top 4 Key Player Battles to Watch in RCB vs CSK Sno Players 1 Virat Kohli vs Khaleel Ahmed 2 Rajat Patidar vs Ravindra Jadeja 3 Josh Hazlewood vs Shivam Dube 4 Virat Kohli vs Ravindra Jadeja Virat Kohli vs Khaleel Ahmed Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2019 11 4 1 1 1 1 275.0 11.0 2022 6 6 0 3 1 0 100.0 - 2023 10 8 0 3 1 0 125.0 - 2024 7 2 0 0 0 1 350.0 - 2025 0 3 0 3 0 0 0.0 - Total 34 23 1 10 3 2 147.8 34.0 RCB's legendary opener Virat Kohli is famous for his attacking batting and consistency, but Khaleel Ahmed's speed can be a real challenge for him. Kohli has had varied performances against Khaleel over the years. In 2019, Kohli was bowled only four balls by the bowler, scoring 11 runs, including a boundary and a six. His strike rate against the bowler was superior, striking at 275, though the bowler did get him once. Jumping ahead to 2024, Kohli played against him once more, scoring only 7 runs from 2 balls, though his strike rate stood at a whopping 350. But in the IPL 2025, Kohli was out without scoring against Khaleel in 3 balls, which may prove to be a good omen for the bowler. Kohli’s battle against Khaleel could determine the early momentum of the game. Also Read | 5 Players CSK Must Release After a Disastrous IPL 2025 Season Rajat Patidar vs Ravindra Jadeja Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2022 4 4 0 0 0 0 100.0 - 2024 1 1 0 0 0 0 100.0 - 2025 17 9 0 3 2 1 188.9 - Total 22 14 0 3 2 1 157.1 - Rajat Patidar’s power-hitting abilities make him a dangerous middle-order batter for RCB. He has faced Ravindra Jadeja several times in past IPL matches, and the results have been mixed. In IPL 2025, Patidar faced Jadeja and scored a decent 17 runs off 9 balls, striking at 188.9. His batting against Jadeja in the middle overs can prove to be a turning point in stabilizing RCB's innings. Conversely, Jadeja, an experienced all-rounder of CSK, is renowned for his stingy bowling and capacity to pick up important wickets in the middle overs. His show against Patidar in IPL 2024 was restricted to mere 1 run off 1 ball, proving he can be tough to handle. Patidar could score only 4 runs off 4 balls in 2022, providing Jadeja with some mastery over the game. It would be intriguing to know whether Patidar could challenge Jadeja's spin and reverse the situation in RCB's favor. Josh Hazlewood vs Shivam Dube Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2021 10 7 0 3 2 0 142.9 - 2022 18 8 0 2 0 2 225.0 - Total 28 15 0 5 2 2 186.7 - Josh Hazlewood's speed and bounce have been instrumental for RCB, particularly in death overs. Dube, one of the most important batsmen for CSK in the middle order, will have to contend with Hazlewood's fast-bowling. Dube has played Hazlewood in the past, and their matches have been extremely thrilling. During IPL 2022, Dube played against Hazlewood for 8 balls and achieved 18 runs, including a couple of sixes. The fact that Dube can cross the boundaries makes him a deadly batsman for this contest. But Hazlewood's experience and consistency can become a challenge for Dube since the Aussie seamer has the ability to deliver vital breakthroughs. The race between Hazlewood's seam and Dube's big-hitting might become one of the most thrilling parts of this match. Also Read | Who are the batters to have been retired out in the history of IPL? Check full list here Virat Kohli vs Ravindra Jadeja Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2009 5 7 1 2 0 0 71.4 5.0 2011 16 16 0 7 2 0 100.0 - 2012 5 5 0 1 0 0 100.0 - 2013 6 6 0 1 0 0 100.0 - 2014 19 16 1 5 0 1 118.8 19.0 2015 27 22 0 8 2 1 122.7 - 2016 16 15 0 2 0 0 106.7 - 2017 10 8 0 2 1 0 125.0 - 2018 0 1 1 1 0 0 0.0 0.0 2020 19 17 0 5 0 1 111.8 - 2021 10 10 0 3 1 0 100.0 - 2022 7 8 0 4 1 0 87.5 - 2024 17 14 0 5 1 1 121.4 - 2025 4 3 0 0 0 0 133.3 - Total 161 148 3 46 8 4 108.8 53.7 Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja have had a long-running rivalry, and it is always a delight to see them cross swords in the IPL. Kohli has played against Jadeja many times throughout the years, and his record reflects triumphs and losses. In their initial years together as rivals, Kohli found Jadeja's spin troublesome. During IPL 2014, for example, Kohli performed poorly against him, managing a mere 19 runs off 16 balls. In subsequent years, however, Kohli seems to have eased into Jadeja's bowling. In IPL 2025, Kohli faced Jadeja and managed to score just 4 runs off 3 balls, suggesting that Jadeja is still a challenge for him. Overall, Kohli’s ability to play against Jadeja’s spin will be vital for RCB, as the all-rounder is a match-winner for CSK in the middle overs.