CSK vs DC IPL 2025: Full Match Analysis of the Thrilling Afternoon Clash
April 5, 2025 — In the 17th match of IPL 2025 held at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Delhi Capitals (DC) secured a memorable 25-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The match, which started at 3:30 PM IST, kept cricket fans on the edge of their seats. Let’s dive into the key moments and turning points of this exciting contest.
Toss & Match Start: DC Opt to Bat First
The action began with the toss, where DC skipper Axar Patel won and chose to bat first. He believed the pitch would favor batting early on and slow down as the game progressed. CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad also admitted he would’ve preferred to bat first but was ready to start with the ball.
DC’s Innings: KL Rahul Steals the Show
Batting first, Delhi posted a competitive total of 183/6 in 20 overs. The standout performance came from KL Rahul, who played a brilliant knock of 77 off 51 balls, laced with 6 fours and 3 sixes. Rahul started cautiously and then shifted gears brilliantly during the middle overs, anchoring DC’s innings.
Despite a rocky start with Jake Fraser-McGurk falling in the very first over, Rahul stabilized the innings with Abhishek Porel (33 off 20). Later, Tristan Stubbs added the finishing touch with a quickfire 24 off 12*.
For CSK, Khalil Ahmed was impressive with 2/25, while Matheesha Pathirana picked up a wicket as well.
CSK’s Chase: Early Collapse Hurts the Hosts
Chasing 184, CSK stumbled right from the start. At just 5.3 overs, they were reeling at 41/3, losing Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad cheaply. The early collapse put the team under immense pressure.
However, Vijay Shankar (69* off 54) and MS Dhoni (30* off 26) stitched together a solid 84-run unbeaten partnership for the sixth wicket — now the highest-ever for CSK in IPL for the 6th wicket, surpassing the previous record held by Michael Hussey and S Badrinath (73 runs).
Despite their valiant effort, the target proved too steep. CSK ended at 158/5 in their 20 overs, falling short by 25 runs.
DC’s Bowling: Starc and Kuldeep Shine Bright
Delhi’s bowling unit clicked perfectly. Mitchell Starc and Kuldeep Yadav applied pressure throughout, especially in the middle overs, not allowing CSK to accelerate. Mukesh Kumar sealed the deal with a tight final over, ensuring CSK never really came close to the target.
Key Highlights That Made This Match Memorable
- DC Break the Chepauk Curse: This was DC’s first win at Chepauk after 15 long years — their last victory here came back in 2010!
- KL Rahul’s Class Act: Rahul scored his 38th IPL fifty and deservedly won the Player of the Match. His innings laid the foundation for DC’s win.
- CSK’s Third Straight Loss: This defeat marked CSK’s third consecutive loss, pushing them down to 8th place on the points table. Meanwhile, DC moved to the top with three wins.
- Dhoni & Shankar’s Record Stand: Their 84-run stand is now the highest-ever 6th wicket partnership for CSK in IPL history.
- Pitch Report: The Chepauk pitch offered some turn for spinners but was still decent for batting during the day. Unfortunately for CSK, they couldn’t capitalize on it.
Turning Point of the Match
The match tilted decisively in DC’s favor when CSK lost three crucial wickets inside the first six overs. That early collapse set them back significantly. On the other hand, KL Rahul’s calm and composed innings gave DC the cushion they needed to defend the target confidently.
Final Thoughts: DC on the Rise, CSK Under Pressure
This match highlighted DC’s balanced form and sharp execution, while CSK was left with more questions than answers. Their lack of intent in the middle overs and over-reliance on senior players are issues they’ll need to fix moving forward.
Can CSK bounce back in their next game? Will DC continue their winning momentum?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Who impressed you the most? And do you think CSK can turn things around this season?
FAQs – CSK vs DC IPL 2025 Match
Q1. Who won the match between CSK and DC on April 5, 2025?
A: Delhi Capitals (DC) won the match by 25 runs against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Q2. Who was the Player of the Match?
A: KL Rahul was the Player of the Match for his outstanding 77-run knock off 51 balls.
Q3. What was the final score of both teams?
A:
- DC: 183/6 in 20 overs
- CSK: 158/5 in 20 overs
Q4. What was the turning point of the match?
A: CSK’s early collapse to 46/3 within the first 6 overs turned the game in DC’s favor. They couldn’t recover enough from that position.
Q5. How did KL Rahul perform in the match?
A: KL Rahul scored 77 runs off 51 deliveries, hitting 6 fours and 3 sixes. His innings was crucial in setting a strong total for DC.
Q6. How did MS Dhoni perform in this match?
A: MS Dhoni remained unbeaten on 30 runs off 26 balls and built a solid 84-run partnership with Vijay Shankar.
Q7. What record was broken in this match?
A: MS Dhoni and Vijay Shankar’s 84-run unbeaten stand became CSK’s highest 6th wicket partnership in IPL history.
Q8. How is CSK performing in IPL 2025 so far?
A: After this match, CSK has lost three games in a row and has slipped to 8th position on the points table.
Q9. How significant was this win for Delhi Capitals?
A: This was DC’s first win at Chepauk after 15 years, with their last victory here coming in 2010. It also helped them reach the top of the points table.
Q10. What challenges does CSK face ahead?
A: CSK needs to work on their top-order stability and increase their scoring rate in the middle overs. The lack of aggressive intent is a concern they’ll need to address.