Rajasthan Royals Beat Chennai Super Kings in a Close IPL 2025 Match
The Indian Premier League 2025 continues to thrill fans with its gripping matches, and the clash between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati was a prime example of T20 drama at its best. On the night of March 30, RR pulled off a narrow yet hard-fought 6-run victory over CSK in the 11th match of the season, marking a key moment in their early campaign.
Let’s dive into how the contest unfolded, the key turning points, and what this victory means for both sides moving forward.
The Toss: CSK Opts to Chase
Winning the toss, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad chose to bowl first—an increasingly common decision in modern-day T20 cricket. With a slight dew forecast and the pitch expected to hold firm through the evening, the decision seemed logical. However, what followed was a rollercoaster of a game that swung multiple times before the Royals eventually emerged victorious.
Rajasthan Royals Innings: A Middle-Order Masterclass
The Rajasthan Royals innings got off to a shaky start as Yashasvi Jaiswal, one of their key top-order batters, was dismissed in just the third ball of the match by Khaleel Ahmed. From there, the team leaned heavily on their experienced middle order to steady the ship and accelerate.
Nitish Rana Shines Bright
The undisputed star of the innings was Nitish Rana, who played a scintillating knock of 81 off 36 balls. With 10 boundaries and 5 towering sixes, Rana dismantled the CSK bowlers in all corners of the ground. His aggressive yet composed approach allowed RR to regain momentum after early hiccups.
Riyan Parag Leads from the Front
Skipper Riyan Parag chipped in with a valuable 37 off 28, showcasing maturity beyond his years. He rotated the strike well and didn’t shy away from big hits when needed. His presence at the crease stabilized the middle overs and complemented Rana’s aggressive style.
Late Inning Collapse
Despite setting a solid foundation, RR struggled in the final overs. From 166/5 in the 17.5 overs, they stumbled to 176/9 in 19.1, losing 4 wickets for just 10 runs in a span of 8 deliveries. This collapse could have proven costly if not for the efforts of their bowlers later in the evening.
CSK Bowlers: Mixed Results
- Khaleel Ahmed and Noor Ahmad were among the pick of the bowlers, picking up two wickets each.
- Matheesha Pathirana, the Sri Lankan pace sensation, also took two crucial scalps while maintaining control in the death overs.
- However, veteran Ravichandran Ashwin, playing for CSK, went for 46 in his 4 overs, and Jamie Overton failed to make an impact, giving away runs without reward.
RR ended their innings at 182/9—a competitive, if not overwhelming, total.
Chennai Super Kings’ Run Chase: Close, But Not Close Enough
Chasing 183, CSK had the firepower in their lineup, but their chase faltered due to early wickets and tight bowling in crucial phases.
Disastrous Start
The innings couldn’t have started worse for CSK. Rachin Ravindra was dismissed for a duck in the very first over by Jofra Archer, handing the Royals immediate control.
Captain’s Knock from Gaikwad
Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad played a commendable innings, scoring 63 off 44 balls. His composed presence kept CSK in the chase, and he looked on track to anchor the team to a comfortable win. But his dismissal in the 16th over turned the tide in RR’s favor.
Middle Order Misfires
While Rahul Tripathi (23 off 19) and Ravindra Jadeja (32* off 22) provided brief resistance, CSK lacked the thrust in the middle overs to dominate the game. Shivam Dube, a potential game-changer, could only manage 18, while Vijay Shankar struggled with a slow 9 off 6.
The defining blow came when MS Dhoni, who entered in the 18th over, couldn’t finish the game this time. Despite hitting a six, he was caught by Shimron Hetmyer in the 19th over.
Final Over Drama
With 19 needed off the last 9 balls, the match hung in the balance. But Sandeep Sharma and Tushar Deshpande bowled with precision, nailing their yorkers and wide-line deliveries, preventing any boundaries and sealing the deal for RR.
Bowling Heroes for Rajasthan Royals
The Royals’ bowling unit rose to the occasion:
- Wanindu Hasaranga was the star with the ball, picking up 4 wickets for 35 runs. His spell broke the back of CSK’s chase, removing key players including Tripathi, Dube, Shankar, and Gaikwad.
- Jofra Archer returned figures of 1/13 in 3 overs, including a maiden over—an outstanding effort in T20 cricket.
- Sandeep Sharma, despite being slightly expensive, delivered the crucial over that dismissed Dhoni and ensured victory.
Turning Points of the Match
- Nitish Rana’s Explosive Innings: His 81 changed the complexion of RR’s innings and helped them post a defendable score.
- Hasaranga’s Magical Spell: Four wickets at key moments dismantled CSK’s chase.
- Gaikwad’s Dismissal: Once the CSK skipper fell in the 16th over, the required run rate shot up, and panic crept in.
- Dhoni’s Late Entry: The former CSK captain’s arrival came too late to make a significant impact in a high-pressure chase.
Player of the Match: Wanindu Hasaranga
Hasaranga’s ability to pick wickets in the middle overs and choke the scoring rate was the X-factor in the game. His 4-wicket haul earned him the Player of the Match award, and rightly so.
What This Win Means for Rajasthan Royals
With this win, RR continues to build momentum in IPL 2025. Their young skipper Riyan Parag has already shown strong leadership qualities, and the team seems to have found the right mix of firepower and control.
However, the lower-order collapse remains a concern. If they’re to go deep in the tournament, they’ll need better finishing strategies.
CSK’s Way Forward
For Chennai, this loss is a tough pill to swallow. They were very much in the game till the last over, but misfires from the middle order and poor strike rotation in the powerplay came back to haunt them.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, though brilliant with the bat, will need to rethink the team’s approach, especially with power hitters like Dube not firing consistently.
Conclusion
This match was a beautiful microcosm of IPL cricket—aggression, collapse, comeback, and pressure-packed finishes. Rajasthan Royals’ tight bowling in the death overs proved just enough to clinch the match, while CSK will rue their missed opportunities. As IPL 2025 heats up, this game will be remembered as one of the most closely-fought thrillers of the season.
