RR ended their IPL 2025 season with a dominant six-wicket win over CSK. Teen prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi starred with 57, while Madhwal and Yudhvir took three wickets each. CSK now risk finishing last unless they beat Gujarat Titans by a huge margin in their final game.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) concluded their IPL 2025 campaign on a high note, defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by six wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday. The victory, powered by disciplined bowling from Akash Madhwal and Yudhvir Singh Charak along with a dazzling half-century from 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, brought some cheer to what has otherwise been a lackluster season for RR.
Chasing a target of 188, RR comfortably reached 188/4 in just 17.1 overs, thanks to Suryavanshi’s brilliant 57 off 33 balls, laced with four boundaries and four sixes. Captain Sanju Samson provided strong support with a fluent 42, while Dhruv Jurel applied the finishing touches with an unbeaten 31 off 12 balls, sealing the win with a commanding six.
The defeat was a bitter blow for CSK, who now face the risk of finishing at the bottom of the points table unless they manage a massive win over table-toppers Gujarat Titans in their final league match.
Earlier, CSK posted 187/8, a total that initially looked competitive but eventually proved inadequate on a batting-friendly surface. RR pacers Akash Madhwal and Yudhvir Singh Charak dismantled CSK’s lineup with clinical spells. Yudhvir, replacing Fazalhaq Farooqi, made an immediate impact in the powerplay by removing Devon Conway and Urvil Patel, finishing with figures of 3/47. Madhwal, on the other hand, was outstanding at the death, mixing precise yorkers with reverse swing to claim 3/29, including the key wickets of Dube and Dhoni in the final over.
CSK’s innings had some bright spots. Teenager Ayush Mhatre impressed with a dynamic 43, playing some exquisite shots including a 24-run over off Yudhvir. Dewald Brevis also shone with 42, showcasing power and flair with four crisp boundaries and a six. However, the momentum slipped away in the last few overs as RR tightened the screws, conceding just 17 runs in the final three overs.
In response, Yashasvi Jaiswal gave RR a brisk start with a 36-run cameo, finding the boundary regularly before falling to Anshul Kamboj. From there, Suryavanshi and Samson took charge. Suryavanshi, in particular, thrilled the crowd with his fearless strokeplay. He lofted Noor Ahmad and Ravindra Jadeja for towering sixes and reached his half-century with a six over deep midwicket.
Although both Samson and Suryavanshi fell in quick succession — to Ashwin and Noor Ahmad respectively — the damage had been done. Riyan Parag was castled by Ahmad, but Jurel ensured there were no hiccups. He swept and pulled with confidence and finished the match in style with a towering six over midwicket off Matheesha Pathirana.
For CSK, the loss was a crushing blow to an already disappointing season. Their bowlers failed to build pressure, and their fielding lacked spark. With just one match left, they’ll need a miracle to avoid the wooden spoon.
As for RR, while they won’t be part of the playoffs, this win offers a glimpse into their future potential. The emergence of Vaibhav Suryavanshi as a teenage star will be among the most talked-about stories of IPL 2025, and the pace duo of Madhwal and Yudhvir provides a solid foundation to build upon for next season.
Brief Scores:
Chennai Super Kings: 187/8 in 20 overs (Ayush Mhatre 43, Dewald Brevis 42; Akash Madhwal 3/29, Yudhvir Singh Charak 3/47)
Rajasthan Royals: 188/4 in 17.1 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 57, Sanju Samson 42; R Ashwin 2/36)
