Rachin Ravindra and Ruturaj Gaikwad led the charge with the bat, while Afghan spinner Noor Ahmed’s brilliant bowling performance helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeat Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2025 opener on Sunday at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Chasing a modest target of 156, CSK encountered an early setback when Deepak Chahar dismissed Rahul Tripathi for just two runs in the second over.
However, Ravindra, alongside CSK captain Gaikwad, steadied the ship with a 67-run partnership for the second wicket. Gaikwad was in scintillating form, bringing up his half-century off just 22 balls.
Mumbai captain Suryakumar Yadav then turned to left-arm spinner Vignesh Puthur, who dismissed Gaikwad for 53 off 26 balls, which included six fours and three sixes.
Despite the breakthrough, Ravindra held firm at the other end, but Puthur continued to trouble CSK's middle order. He dismissed Shivam Dube and Deepak Hooda, while Will Jacks sent Sam Curran back to the pavilion, leaving CSK at 116 for 5.
With 40 more runs needed, Ravindra found solid support from Ravindra Jadeja. The duo added a crucial 36-run partnership, steering CSK over the line with five balls to spare.
Jadeja contributed 17 off 18 balls, while Ravindra remained unbeaten on 65 off 45 balls, which included two fours and four towering sixes.
Ealier, Noor Ahmed and Khaleel Ahmed's brilliant bowling performances helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) restrict Mumbai Indians to a modest total of 155 for nine.
CSK won the toss and opted to field first, a decision that paid immediate dividends. On the fourth ball of the innings, former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed without scoring, caught by CSK’s fielder off the bowling of Khaleel Ahmed.
The visitors’ early struggles continued as they lost Ryan Rickelton (13) and Will Jacks (11) within the powerplay, leaving Mumbai reeling at 36 for three.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma provided some stability, forging a 51-run partnership to take the score to 87.
However, the introduction of Afghanistan's Noor Ahmed, making his debut for CSK, turned the game in their favor. The debutant spinner delivered a superb spell, dismantling Mumbai’s middle order and claiming four wickets for just 18 runs in his four overs.
Yadav and Varma managed to score 29 and 31, respectively, but the damage had been done as Mumbai found themselves at 96 for six.
As wickets continued to fall, Deepak Chahar’s late cameo of 28 off 15 balls helped Mumbai post a total of 155 for six in their 20 overs.
Khaleel Ahmed also made significant contributions with the ball, taking three wickets.
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