The IPL 2025 season has brought with it some thrilling encounters, and the clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Delhi Capitals (DC) was no different. With cricket fans glued to their screens, this match saw KL Rahul aiming for a century, but Khaleel Ahmed’s crucial breakthrough turned the game on its head.
Let’s dive into the match summary, key performances, turning points, scorecard, and expert insights from this high-voltage battle.
🟢 Match Overview
- 📍 Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- 🕗 Date: April 2, 2025
- 🧢 Toss: CSK won the toss and elected to bowl
- 🌤️ Conditions: Warm and humid evening with slight dew expected later
🏏 First Innings: DC’s Strong Start, Rahul Shines
Delhi Capitals came into bat first with KL Rahul and Prithvi Shaw opening the innings. The opening pair provided a decent start, building a 50-run stand in quick time.
KL Rahul – The Star with the Bat
Rahul played a fluent innings with classic cover drives and confident flicks. He took on CSK pacers and spinners alike, scoring boundaries at will. At one point, a century looked certain.
- 🏏 KL Rahul’s Score: 67 runs off 42 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes)
Just as the Delhi camp looked relaxed, Khaleel Ahmed struck, changing the momentum.
🔥 Khaleel Ahmed’s Game-Changing Spell
CSK pacer Khaleel Ahmed came into the attack in the middle overs and turned the tide. With pace variation and intelligent line-length, he dismissed:
- Rishabh Pant (13) – caught behind
- Mitchell Marsh (5) – mistimed pull shot
- Axar Patel (2) – bowled
- KL Rahul (67) – big fish, caught in the deep
🔥 Khaleel’s figures: 4 overs – 24 runs – 4 wickets
This spell halted DC’s charge, who looked set for 180+ but ended up with a competitive 164/7.
📊 Delhi Capitals – First Innings Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul | 67 | 42 | 8 | 2 |
| Prithvi Shaw | 24 | 19 | 3 | 1 |
| Rishabh Pant | 13 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Mitchell Marsh | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Axar Patel | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Rovman Powell | 31* | 22 | 2 | 2 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 4* | 3 | 0 | 0 |
🔚 Total: 164/7 in 20 overs
💛 CSK’s Chase: Calm and Calculated
CSK came out to chase 165 with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway opening the innings. The duo laid a strong foundation, rotating strike smartly and punishing loose deliveries.
- Gaikwad scored a steady 48 off 35
- Conway anchored the innings with a fluent 41 off 31
As wickets fell in the middle overs, Shivam Dube stepped in and played a fiery cameo, hitting 3 sixes in one over off Lalit Yadav.
🎯 Match Turning Moment
Just when CSK needed 40 off 24 balls, Dube and Dhoni’s partnership ensured a smooth finish. Dhoni, the crowd favorite, hit the winning boundary, taking the team home in the final over.
🟨 Final Result: CSK won by 5 wickets (with 2 balls remaining)
🥇 Player of the Match: Khaleel Ahmed
With a crucial 4-wicket haul at a vital juncture, Khaleel Ahmed earned the Player of the Match award despite being on the losing side—a rare but deserving recognition.
📉 Points Table Impact
- CSK moves to 2nd position with 10 points in 7 games
- DC remains at 5th place, with 3 wins and 4 losses
🔎 Expert Takeaways
- KL Rahul’s form is a positive for Delhi despite the loss
- Khaleel’s bowling is becoming more consistent under pressure
- CSK’s batting depth once again proved effective
- MS Dhoni’s calmness in chases is still unmatched
🗣️ What Fans Are Saying
“KL was on fire, but Khaleel’s comeback was lit!” — @criclover45
“Dhoni finishing a match in Chepauk—goosebumps every time.” — @yellowarmy_07
“CSK ka chase plan toh always perfect hota hai!” — @iplfan23
📺 Where to Watch Highlights
You can watch full match highlights and post-match interviews on:
- JioCinema (Free streaming)
- Star Sports HD
- CSK and DC official YouTube channels
🏆 What’s Next for Both Teams?
- CSK will next face Mumbai Indians in what’s expected to be a blockbuster clash.
- DC will look to bounce back against Punjab Kings in their next outing.
✅ Final Summary (Short Answer)
Chennai Super Kings defeated Delhi Capitals in a thrilling IPL 2025 encounter, thanks to Khaleel Ahmed’s 4-wicket haul and a solid chase powered by Gaikwad, Conway, and Dube. KL Rahul’s 67 went in vain as CSK clinched a 5-wicket win.