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CSK vs MI, IPL 2025: Chennai Super Kings chased down the target of 156 runs in 19.1 overs for the loss of six wickets to win the first match of the IPL 2025 season against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians.
Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians IPL 2025: Full Match Analysis, Key Moments & Standout Performers. (Picture Credit: AP)
Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians IPL 2025: Chennai Super Kings beat archrivals Mumbai Indians by four wickets on Sunday (March 23) to win their first match of the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League. In match No. 3 of IPL 2025 played at Chennai’s iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium, CSK chased down the target of 156 runs in 19.1 overs for the loss of six wickets. New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra, who was preferred over Devon Conway in the playing XI, top-scored for the Chennai-based franchise (65 runs from 45 balls), and CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 53 runs from 26 balls. During his stay at the crease, the 28-year-old right-handed batter crossed the 50-run mark in 22 balls and overall scored six fours and three sixes.
For MI, 24-year-old Kerala spinner Vignesh Puthur, on his IPL debut, finished with figures of 3/32 in four overs.
Earlier in the first half of the match, MI failed to make the most of the favourable batting conditions and could only manage to post a total of 155 runs on the board for the loss of nine wickets. MI suffered a big setback in the first over of the match itself when, on the fourth ball, Khaleel Ahmed removed Rohit Sharma for a four-ball duck. The former MI captain handed a simple catch to Shivam Dube inside the 30-yard circle.
England all-rounder Will Jacks came out to bat at No. 3 for MI and scored two fours on the last two balls of the first and second overs, but before he could convert his start into a big score, Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed him on the fourth ball of his comeback match for CSK. Before him, on the second ball of the third over, Khaleel breached Ryan Rickelton’s defence and shattered his stumps.
The South African wicketkeeper-batter smashed three fours during his seven-ball 13-run stay at the crease.
Tilak Varma (31) joined hands with captain Suryakumar Yadav (29) in the middle after MI suffered a top-order collapse, but before the duo could switch the gears, a lightning-quick stumping by MS Dhoni ended Surya’s knock. However, before returning back to the pavilion, Surya completed 3000 runs in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians. He is only the third batter after Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard to achieve the feat.
Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter Robin Minz (3) and Tilak were sent back to the pavilion in a span of three balls by Noor in the 13th over of MI’s innings, which ended MI’s hopes of a big total.
In the last two overs, former CSK medium pacer Deepak Chahar scored 13 and 14 runs, respectively, to make MI past the 150-run mark.
For CSK, Noor Ahmad finished the match with figures of 4 for 16 in four overs, and three MI batters were sent back to the pavilion by Khaleel, who conceded 29 runs in four overs.
Brief scores
Mumbai Indians: 155 for 9 in 20 overs (Tilak Varma 31, Suryakumar Yadav 29, Deepak Chahar 28; Noor Ahmad 4/18, Khaleel Ahmed 3/29)
Chennai Super Kings: 158 for 6 in 19.1 overs (Rachin Ravindra 65*, Ruturaj Gaikwad 53, Ravindra Jadeja 17; Vignesh Puthur 3/32, Deepak Chahar 1/18)
Result: CSK win by 4 wickets
Player of the Match: Noor Ahmad (4/18 in four overs)