CSK Defeats MI by 4 Wickets in a Thrilling Encounter at Chepauk -IPL 2025:
The much-anticipated clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 3 of IPL 2025 lived up to expectations, delivering a thrilling contest at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. CSK secured a hard-fought victory, defeating MI by four wickets with five balls to spare.
Batting first, MI struggled to build momentum, managing only 155/9 in their 20 overs. CSK, in response, chased down the target in 19.1 overs, thanks to a match-winning knock from Rachin Ravindra, who remained unbeaten on 65. The match saw moments of brilliance from both sides, but ultimately, CSK’s all-round effort ensured a winning start to their campaign.
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Toss and Match Summary
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision influenced by the spin-friendly conditions at Chepauk. The bowlers did well to restrict MI to a modest total, and the chase, though tricky at times, was successfully completed by CSK’s batting lineup.
MI’s innings never really got going, as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Their top order crumbled under pressure, and although Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav stitched together a crucial partnership, it wasn’t enough to push the team past 160. A late surge from Deepak Chahar helped MI reach 155, but the total seemed below par on a batting-friendly surface.
CSK started their chase aggressively, with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad leading from the front. However, a few quick wickets in the middle order created tension. Rachin Ravindra stood tall under pressure and guided CSK home with a composed knock, ensuring a comfortable four-wicket victory.
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Mumbai Indians’ Batting Performance
MI’s batting lineup failed to capitalize on the conditions, struggling to maintain a steady run rate. Wickets fell at regular intervals, making it difficult to post a competitive total.
• Rohit Sharma – 0 (4) | c Shivam Dube b Khaleel Ahmed
• Ryan Rickelton – 13 (7) | b Khaleel Ahmed
• Will Jacks – 11 (7) | c Shivam Dube b Ravichandran Ashwin
• Suryakumar Yadav (C) – 29 (26) | st MS Dhoni b Noor Ahmad
• Tilak Varma – 31 (25) | lbw b Noor Ahmad
• Raghav Minz – 3 (9) | c Ravindra Jadeja b Noor Ahmad
• Nehal Dhir – 17 (12) | b Noor Ahmad
• Mitchell Santner – 11 (13) | lbw b Nathan Ellis
• Deepak Chahar – 28* (15) | Not out
• Trent Boult – 1 (2) | c Ruturaj Gaikwad b Khaleel Ahmed
• Satyanarayana Raju – 1* (1) | Not out
Extras: 10 (NB 1, W 4, B 4, LB 1)
Total: 155/9 (20 overs)
Fall of Wickets: 0/1 (R. Sharma), 21/2 (Rickelton), 36/3 (Jacks), 87/4 (Suryakumar), 95/5 (Minz), 96/6 (Tilak), 118/7 (Dhir), 128/8 (Santner), 141/9 (Boult).
The Mumbai Indians’ innings lacked stability, and the early loss of Rohit Sharma put them on the back foot. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma tried to rebuild, but Noor Ahmad’s brilliant spell dismantled the middle order. The only bright spot in MI’s innings was Deepak Chahar’s cameo of 28* off 15 balls, which provided some respectability to the total.
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Chennai Super Kings’ Batting Performance
CSK’s chase began on a positive note, with Gaikwad and Ravindra attacking the MI bowlers. Gaikwad’s quick 53 laid a strong foundation, but MI fought back with crucial wickets in the middle overs.
• Rachin Ravindra – 65* (45) | Not out
• Rahul Tripathi – 2 (3) | c Ryan Rickelton b Deepak Chahar
• Ruturaj Gaikwad (C) – 53 (26) | c Will Jacks b Vignesh Puthur
• Shivam Dube – 9 (7) | c Tilak Varma b Vignesh Puthur
• Deepak Hooda – 3 (5) | c Satyanarayana Raju b Vignesh Puthur
• Sam Curran – 4 (9) | b Will Jacks
• Ravindra Jadeja – 17 (18) | Run out (Deepak Chahar)
• MS Dhoni (WK) – 0* (2) | Not out
Extras: 5 (W 5)
Total: 156/6 (19.1 overs)
The chase looked straightforward initially, but MI’s bowlers struck back with quick wickets, putting CSK under some pressure. Gaikwad’s aggressive knock of 53 off 26 balls gave CSK a flying start before he fell to Vignesh Puthur. Dube, Hooda, and Curran failed to contribute significantly, leaving CSK in a tricky position.
However, Rachin Ravindra held his ground and played a match-winning knock, ensuring there were no last-minute hiccups. Jadeja also played a crucial role before being run out, but by then, the game was firmly in CSK’s control. Dhoni walked in to finish the match but didn’t have to do much, as Ravindra sealed the victory in the 19th over.
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Match Analysis and Key Takeaways
1. CSK’s Strong Bowling Performance – The Chennai bowlers, especially Noor Ahmad (4/32), were instrumental in restricting MI to a below-par total. Khaleel Ahmed also chipped in with crucial breakthroughs.
2. Mumbai’s Middle Order Struggles – While Suryakumar and Tilak tried to steady the innings, the lack of big partnerships hurt MI. Losing wickets in clusters made it difficult to set a challenging total.
3. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Captaincy Debut – The new CSK skipper impressed with an aggressive batting display and smart bowling changes, ensuring MI never got away.
4. Rachin Ravindra’s Match-Winning Knock – His unbeaten 65 showed great composure, proving why he’s a valuable asset for CSK.
5. MI’s Missed Opportunities – MI had their chances to make a comeback, especially after dismissing Gaikwad, but they couldn’t capitalize on the pressure moments.
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Conclusion
Chennai Super Kings started their IPL 2025 campaign with a commanding win over Mumbai Indians, showcasing both strong bowling and a composed batting effort. Ruturaj Gaikwad led from the front with a blazing fifty, while Rachin Ravindra’s calm and composed innings ensured CSK crossed the finish line.
Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, will have to regroup quickly and address their batting concerns. Their bowling attack showed glimpses of promise, but they will need more consistency in upcoming matches.
With this victory, CSK has gained early momentum in the tournament, while MI will look to bounce back in their next fixture. The IPL 2025 season has only just begun, and more thrilling contests are expected in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned for more updates on IPL 2025!
