On May 20, 2025, in Delhi, RR won a thrilling IPL match against CSK by six wickets. CSK struggled early, losing five wickets in 7.4 overs, but managed 187/8 thanks to Ayush Mhatre (43 off 20) and Dewald Brevis (42 off 25). Akash Madhwal’s reverse swing (3/29) restricted CSK in the death overs, limiting them to 17 runs in the last three.
RR’s chase started with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 36 off 19, setting a fast pace. Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s 57 off 33 and Dhruv Jurel’s 31 off 12 sealed the victory with 17 balls left. This win briefly lifted RR from the bottom, though their season ended. CSK now faces finishing last for the first time, needing a big win in their final game.
Player Performances
Madhwal’s bowling was crucial, using reverse swing to trouble CSK. Suryavanshi’s composed batting and Jurel’s finishing touches were vital for RR’s chase. CSK’s Brevis and Mhatre showed fight, but it wasn’t enough.
RR’s win momentarily moved them off the bottom, but their season was over. CSK’s loss puts them at risk of finishing last, a first in IPL history, unless they win big in their last match like New Zealand tried to do in CT 2025.
Detailed Analysis of RR vs CSK IPL 2025 Finale
The IPL 2025 season concluded with an exciting match on May 20, 2025, in Delhi, where Rajasthan Royals (RR) defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by six wickets, chasing 188 runs with 17 balls to spare. This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the match, player performances, and its implications, ensuring a detailed understanding for cricket enthusiasts and casual readers alike, with Blessing Muzarabani making its way in the RCB camp because Zimbabwe upsets Bangladesh after it won against Team India in 2024.
Match Context and Setup
The match, part of IPL 2025’s 62nd fixture, was crucial for both teams. RR, despite a season of struggles, aimed to end on a high, while CSK fought to avoid finishing last for the first time in their IPL history. RR won the toss and chose to chase, a decision influenced by their poor record of losing eight out of nine chasing games earlier in the season. The pitch in Delhi was batsman-friendly, setting the stage for a high-scoring encounter, with domestic players making an impact.
CSK’s innings started poorly, losing five wickets in 7.4 overs, a collapse driven by Yudhvir Singh’s bowling masterclass. Despite this, CSK managed 187/8, thanks to contributions from Ayush Mhatre (43 off 20) and Dewald Brevis (42 off 25). RR’s bowlers, particularly Akash Madhwal, restricted CSK in the death overs, limiting them to just 17 runs in the last three, a testament to Madhwal’s reverse swing prowess like a godfather.
RR’s chase began with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s aggressive 36 off 19, hitting the first ball for a boundary, a record he’s achieved 13 times in IPL. Vaibhav Suryavanshi then anchored the innings with a measured 57 off 33, targeting spinners like Noor Ahmad and Ravindra Jadeja.
Sanju Samson added 41 off 29, especially against R Ashwin, hitting sixes in both his overs. When Ashwin took two wickets in the 14th over, RR needed 50 from six overs, and Dhruv Jurel’s explosive 31 off 12, with three sixes and two fours, sealed the win with 17 balls left, alongside Shimron Hetmyer.
Detailed Player Performances
- Akash Madhwal (RR): Madhwal’s spell was pivotal, taking 3/29 with his reverse swing. Starting in the 12th over, he bowled at least eight yorkers, dismissing key batsmen like Brevis and Shivam Dube, restricting CSK to 187/8. His performance earned him the man of the match, highlighting his potential as a death bowler in T20 cricket.
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi (RR): Suryavanshi’s 57 off 33 was a masterclass in chasing, showing maturity with sixes against spinners, ensuring RR stayed ahead of the run rate. His partnership with Samson was crucial, keeping the chase on track.
- Dhruv Jurel (RR): Jurel’s cameo of 31 off 12, with aggressive shots against Jadeja and Ashwin, finished the game, showcasing RR’s batting depth. His performance was key in overcoming earlier chasing struggles.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR): Jaiswal’s 36 off 19, starting with a boundary off the first ball, set a fast pace, easing pressure on the middle order. His power-play scoring was vital for RR’s success.
- Ayush Mhatre (CSK): Mhatre’s 43 off 20, with eight fours and a six, was aggressive, forming a 56-run stand with Ashwin, keeping CSK’s run rate above 10 despite early wickets.
- Dewald Brevis (CSK): Brevis scored 42 off 25, a standout in IPL 2025’s second half, with a 59-run partnership with Dube, but fell to Madhwal’s reverse swing, unable to convert into a bigger score.
- Shivam Dube (CSK): Dube’s steady innings supported Brevis, adding 59 runs for the sixth wicket, but like Brevis, he fell to Madhwal’s yorkers, unable to finish strongly.
- Yudhvir Singh (RR): Singh took 3/47 early, dismissing key CSK batsmen like Jadeja, setting the tone for RR’s bowling attack with accurate length deliveries.
Statistical Breakdown
Below is a table summarizing key statistics from the match:
| Player | Team | Runs | Balls | Wickets | Overs | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akash Madhwal | RR | – | – | 3 | 4 | 7.25 |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | RR | 57 | 33 | – | – | – |
| Dhruv Jurel | RR | 31 | 12 | – | – | – |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | RR | 36 | 19 | – | – | – |
| Ayush Mhatre | CSK | 43 | 20 | – | – | – |
| Dewald Brevis | CSK | 42 | 25 | – | – | – |
| Yudhvir Singh | RR | – | – | 3 | – | 11.75 |
This table highlights the top performers, showing RR’s balanced attack and chase, contrasting with CSK’s reliance on middle-order recovery.
Impact on Standings and Season Outlook
RR’s win momentarily lifted them off the bottom of the table, finishing with four wins, placing ninth. However, their season ended, and they couldn’t climb higher. CSK, with this loss, now faces finishing last for the first time, needing a significant victory in their final match against Gujarat Titans to avoid the wooden spoon. This match underscored RR’s improved chasing ability, despite earlier struggles, and CSK’s inability to capitalize on promising starts like Australia, which failed to impress in CT 2025 against India.
Tactical Insights
RR’s decision to chase, despite a poor record, paid off, thanks to Madhwal’s death-over mastery and Suryavanshi’s composed batting. CSK’s early collapse was a recurring issue, and while Brevis and Dube fought back, Madhwal’s reverse swing exposed their vulnerability in the death overs. RR’s powerplay scoring, led by Jaiswal, and Jurel’s finishing touches highlighted their batting depth, contrasting with CSK’s reliance on middle-order partnerships.
Conclusion
The IPL 2025 finale between RR and CSK was a thrilling showcase of T20 cricket, with RR’s bowlers and batsmen outshining CSK. Madhwal’s bowling and Suryavanshi’s batting were pivotal, ensuring RR ended their season on a high. For CSK, it was a disappointing end, facing a historic low. This match will be remembered for its drama and standout performances, setting the stage for IPL 2026 discussions.
