CSK vs DC, IPL 2025 Highlights: Delhi Capitals clinched their third consecutive win of the season with a commanding 25-run victory over Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium — marking their first triumph at Chepauk in 15 years.
Opting to bat first, DC posted a competitive 183/6, led by a classy 77 off 51 balls from KL Rahul, who struck six boundaries and three sixes. Abishek Porel added quickfire runs at the top with a 33-run knock, while Tristan Stubbs anchored the finish with an unbeaten 24. Matheesha Pathirana impressed with a tight final over for CSK.
In response, Chennai stumbled early, losing Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Devon Conway inside the powerplay, undone by a fiery spell from Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar, and Vipraj Nigam. Vijay Shankar’s gritty 69 and MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 30 brought some fightback, but the hosts eventually ended at 158/5.
Stubbs dropped Shankar on 27, but Delhi didn’t let the chance slip away. With this win, DC not only maintained their winning streak but also topped the points table, firmly asserting themselves as serious contenders for the title. CSK, meanwhile, continue to struggle in IPL 2025.
CSK vs DC, IPL 2025 – Player of the Match: KL Rahul (77 off 51 balls)
KL Rahul was named Player of the Match for his match-winning knock of 77 runs off 51 deliveries, helping Delhi Capitals set up a commanding total against Chennai Super Kings.
Speaking after the game, Rahul reflected on his innings and the adjustments he’s had to make this season:
“I am quite used to it. I was prepping to play at the top of the order before the IPL started and before I came here. I had a chat with the coach and he wanted me to bat at No. 4 and I said okay. Happy that I got an opportunity to bat at the top of the order today.”
He admitted that moving up and down the batting order has been mentally challenging:
“It’s more mental, just the pattern and process of getting in and getting used to walking in at a particular stage. Since I have been going up and down the order, I feel a little unsettled when I walk in. It takes a few minutes to get in. Once I get through it, then it’s just a game of bat and ball again.”
Rahul credited his teammates for easing the pressure and highlighted how early momentum helped build the innings:
“Porel took on the game, those quick 20-25 runs set up the game. That’s how T20 has changed. I had a couple of partnerships with Axar and Porel. I gave myself some time, just had to find a way to go deeper.”
He also acknowledged missing out on a potentially bigger score due to fatigue:
“Once I got past the 11-over mark, I knew I had to go and target a few bowlers. I tried to target the shorter sides as well. The weather and the heat got to me, I got really cooked and left 15-20 runs in the back end. That’s something I can learn and be better next time.”
Rahul’s composed yet aggressive knock played a key role in Delhi’s 25-run win, as they rose to the top of the IPL 2025 points table.
ollowing Delhi Capitals’ impressive 25-run win over Chennai Super Kings, skipper Axar Patel expressed satisfaction over his team’s performance and their unbeaten run so far in the season:
“I didn’t expect it to be easy (on winning three on the bounce). Everyone contributed, the team balance looks good. Feels good as a captain to win three out of three.”
On not bowling much during the match, Axar revealed he was managing an injury:
“I was saving myself and I also have an injured finger.”
He also reflected on the team’s fielding performances and the overall challenge of maintaining momentum in the IPL:
“Every match, there are some great catches and some drops as well. As a captain, I don’t think we have played a perfect match yet. IPL is a long tournament, the momentum can swing anytime.”
With this win, Delhi Capitals not only maintained their unbeaten streak in IPL 2025 but also climbed to the top of the points table, making a strong statement early in the tournament.
After Delhi Capitals’ 25-run win over Chennai Super Kings, pacer Mitchell Starc reflected on the team’s impressive performance with both bat and ball:
“Pretty good performance today, we batted first and the whole batting lineup adjusted well. On par or just above, but we still needed to bowl well. We got powerplay wickets and our bowling unit was fantastic as well. That’s key in all cricket, particularly in T20 where you go through the ebbs and flows.”
Speaking about the pitch and weather conditions, Starc compared Chepauk to Vizag, where DC previously played:
“Still bloody hot. Sole difference is the red soil here — it had more pace than Vizag, still two-paced and skidded a bit according to the batters. One side was big and you could defend one side and all the bowlers adjusted well.”
On his deadly yorker and bowling mindset in T20 cricket:
“Everyone knows it is coming but if you can execute it, it still is a good ball. You can’t have an ego in T20 cricket — search for things outside the box, try not to be predictable.”
Starc’s early breakthroughs set the tone for DC’s dominant bowling effort, reinforcing their credentials as serious contenders in IPL 2025.
CSK vs DC, IPL 2025 – Chennai Super Kings Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad Reflects on Tough Loss
Following Chennai Super Kings’ 25-run defeat to Delhi Capitals at Chepauk, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad opened up about the team’s ongoing struggles in IPL 2025:
“Since the last few games, it’s not going our way. We are trying to improve, trying our best, but it’s just not happening.”
On CSK’s continued powerplay troubles—both in batting and bowling—Gaikwad admitted it’s a key area of concern:
“Definitely lost too many wickets. In the powerplay, it’s a major concern—even in the bowling department. We are giving away 15–20 runs extra or losing too many wickets.”
He pointed out a tentative approach from both departments as one of the main issues:
“I just think that we are slightly over-concerned or tentative, whoever is bowling in the powerplay. And with the bat, obviously, you don’t want to lose an extra wicket, but it’s just about being positive. I think it’s about being on the back foot and not being on the toes.”
Stressing the need for unity and proactive effort, he added:
“Everyone needs to come together to make things happen. We need to make things happen.”
On the lack of momentum during the chase and DC’s disciplined performance:
“Since the powerplay, we were always playing the catch-up game. We were too far behind and only had one batter left. DC bowled really well and used the conditions really well. Even when Shivam (Dube) was batting, we were looking for momentum but it just didn’t happen.”
CSK now faces a tough road ahead as they look to regain form and confidence in the remaining league matches.