Ruturaj-Gaikwad. (Photo Source: Twitter/X)
The third match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 witnessed an electrifying contest between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Chepauk Stadium. CSK won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that immediately paid dividends as MI struggled in the power play.
Mumbai Indians had a disastrous start, losing three key wickets early on. Star batsman Rohit Sharma departed for a duck, while Ryan Rickelton (13) and Will Jacks (11) failed to make a significant impact. CSK’s bowlers dominated the initial overs, restricting MI’s scoring opportunities. However, a crucial partnership between captain Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma steadied the innings. The duo added over 50 runs, keeping MI’s hopes alive.
Just as MI looked to accelerate, young Afghan spinner Noor Ahmed turned the game on its head. He dismissed four key batsmen, derailing MI’s momentum and keeping them well below their potential total. Towards the end, Deepak Chahar’s late onslaught, including some crucial boundaries, helped MI post a respectable total of 155 runs.
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CSK’s chase began on a shaky note as Rahul Tripathi fell early with the team at 11/1 after 1.4 overs. However, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad took charge alongside New Zealand’s rising star Rachin Ravindra. Gaikwad played a blistering knock, registering his fastest IPL fifty in just 22 balls, setting the tone for the chase.
MI debutant Vignesh Puthur made an impact by dismissing Gaikwad and picking up three crucial wickets in the middle overs, momentarily swinging the momentum in MI’s favour. But Rachin Ravindra stood firm, showcasing composure and class. His unbeaten 65 ensured CSK secured victory by three wickets, beginning their IPL 2025 campaign on a winning note. Meanwhile, MI continued their streak of losing their opening match, a trend that has persisted since 2013.
Here are the most important stats from the game:
