In a gripping clash in IPL 2025, Rajasthan Royals (RR) clinched their first victory of the season, edging out Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by a narrow margin of six runs. RR set a challenging total of 182 for 9, driven by Nitish Rana’s explosive 81 off 36 balls, while Wanindu Hasaranga’s stellar 4 for 35 turned the tide in the bowling attack. CSK, chasing 183, were buoyed by Ruturaj Gaikwad’s resilient 63 and late fireworks from Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni, but their efforts fell short, marking their second straight defeat. This high-stakes encounter was defined by standout performances and shrewd tactics, including Rana’s promotion to counter R Ashwin and CSK’s struggles against spin.
Nitish Rana’s explosive 81 off 36 balls anchored Rajasthan Royals’ total of 182 for 9. He smashed 58 runs in the powerplay, masking low scores from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson. His assault on R Ashwin stood out, with a sequence of 6, 6, 4. Before this match, Rana had scored 108 off 58 balls against Ashwin without dismissal. This time, he added 63 more runs off 13 balls before Ashwin stumped him. Rana’s innings gave RR a strong start, pushing them toward a competitive score. Despite a late collapse, his aggressive batting set the stage for victory.
CSK Bowlers Stage a Comeback
CSK’s bowlers fought back after Rana’s onslaught, restricting RR below 190. Noor Ahmad dismissed Samson and Dhruv Jurel, claiming the purple cap lead with 2 for 28. Ravindra Jadeja bowled two tight overs, allowing no boundaries. Matheesha Pathirana and Khaleel Ahmed squeezed the death overs, conceding just 17 runs in the last three. Their discipline curbed RR’s momentum after a fiery powerplay. This effort kept CSK in contention despite Rana’s dominance.
Jofra Archer and Tushar Deshpande disrupted CSK’s chase in the powerplay. Archer struck with a wicket-maiden, dismissing Rachin Ravindra for a duck at 145kph. Deshpande hit Ruturaj Gaikwad’s elbow, unsettling CSK’s rhythm. CSK crawled to 5 for 1 after three overs, finishing the powerplay at 42 for 1. Archer’s pace and Deshpande’s precision gave RR an early edge. This pressure laid the groundwork for CSK’s batting struggles.
Hasaranga’s Spin Turns the Tide
Wanindu Hasaranga’s 4 for 35 dismantled CSK’s chase with a clever wristspin. His first ball removed Rahul Tripathi, triggering a middle-order collapse. He bowled Shivam Dube with a wrong’un after Dube hit two sixes. Vijay Shankar fell to another wrong’un band bowled for 9 off 6 balls. Hasaranga’s variations exposed CSK’s weakness against spin. His spell shifted momentum decisively to RR, making target 183 unreachable.
Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 63 off 48 balls, anchoring CSK’s chase. He recovered from a slow start, hitting three fours off Sandeep Sharma in the powerplay. His 37-ball fifty was a steady, low-risk effort. But with little support, pressure mounted on him. Hasaranga dismissed him with a wide leg break, ending CSK’s hopes. Gaikwad’s knock was valiant, but they couldn’t overcome RR’s bowling like India did against Bangladesh in CT 2025.
CSK’s Middle Order Falters
CSK’s middle order crumbled under Hasaranga’s spin, derailing their chase. Rahul Tripathi scored 23 off 19 before holing out to Hasaranga. Shivam Dube’s 18 off 10 ended with a mistimed shot off a wrong’un. Vijay Shankar managed 9 of 6 before Hasaranga bowled him. Their failure to build partnerships left Gaikwad isolated, like India’s loss to Zimbabwe in 2024. This collapse was pivotal in CSK’s six-run loss.
Jadeja and Dhoni’s Late Surge Falls Short
Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni sparked a late CSK fightback. Jadeja finished unbeaten on 32 off 22 balls. Dhoni scored 16 off 11, including a six and a four off Deshpande. Needing 39 off the last two overs, they narrowed the gap. Sandeep Sharma dismissed Dhoni in the final over, sealing RR’s win. Their effort was brave but couldn’t undo earlier damage.
RR’s decision to promote Rana to No. 3 exploited his edge over Ashwin. CSK’s Impact Player, Shivam Dube, faltered against Hasaranga’s spin. RR opted for Sandeep over Archer in the final over, a gamble that paid off. Sandeep dismissed Dhoni, defending 19 runs successfully. Jamie Overton’s debut for CSK was costly, leaking 30 runs in two overs. These choices influenced RR’s narrow six-run victory.
