What a night it was at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on March 30, 2025! The Rajasthan Royals (RR) locked horns with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 11 of IPL 2025, and boy, did it deliver. After two tough losses, RR finally tasted victory, edging out CSK by a nail-biting 6 runs in a game that had everything—blazing batting, crafty bowling, stunning catches, and a finish that left fans on the edge of their seats. Let’s dive into how it all unfolded.
RR’s Explosive Start: Nitish Rana Steals the Show
CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and opted to bowl first, perhaps banking on the dew factor to aid their chase later. RR got off to a shaky start when Yashasvi Jaiswal fell early for just 4, caught off Khaleel Ahmed in the first over. But then came Nitish Rana, and oh, what a knock he played! Promoted up the order, Rana smashed a blistering 81 off just 36 balls, including 10 fours and 5 sixes. He tore into CSK’s bowlers, especially during the Powerplay, where RR raced to 79/1—the third-highest Powerplay score in IPL 2025 so far.
Rana’s assault was pure class. He used the pace when fine leg or third man was up, picking gaps with precision, and then unleashed his power when the field spread. Alongside him, stand-in captain Riyan Parag played a more measured 37 off 28, steadying the ship after Sanju Samson’s departure for 20. At the halfway mark, RR were cruising at 99/2, and a total of 200+ seemed on the cards.
CSK’s Fightback: Spinners and Pacers Turn the Tide
Just when RR looked set to post a monster total, CSK’s bowlers staged a stunning comeback. Noor Ahmad struck first, dismissing Samson, and then Matheesha Pathirana and Khaleel Ahmed tightened the screws. The Royals lost momentum in the middle overs, with Dhruv Jurel (3) and Wanindu Hasaranga (4) failing to fire. Shimron Hetmyer chipped in with 19, but the late collapse was dramatic—RR lost 7 wickets for 59 runs in the last 8.4 overs, finishing at 182/9.
Pathirana (2/28), Noor (2/28), and Khaleel (2/38) were the stars for CSK, with their disciplined bowling ensuring RR didn’t run away with the game. At the innings break, 183 felt like a par score—challenging, but chaseable on a decent batting track.
CSK’s Chase: Gaikwad Shines, but Hasaranga Spins it Around
Chasing 183, CSK needed a solid start, but Jofra Archer had other plans. The pace ace, back in form, sent Rachin Ravindra packing for a duck in the very first over. Rahul Tripathi (23) and Ruturaj Gaikwad steadied things briefly, but Wanindu Hasaranga turned the game on its head. The Sri Lankan spinner was sensational, finishing with 4/35. He dismissed Tripathi, Shivam Dube (18), Vijay Shankar (9), and crucially, Gaikwad, who fought valiantly for 63 off 44 balls.
Gaikwad’s knock was a captain’s effort—composed yet aggressive, keeping CSK in the hunt. But with wickets tumbling, the pressure mounted. Enter MS Dhoni at No. 7, and the Guwahati crowd—decked in yellow—erupted. With 39 needed off the last 12 balls, Dhoni (16 off 11) and Ravindra Jadeja (32* off 22) brought the game alive. Dhoni smashed a six and a four off Tushar Deshpande in the 19th over, reducing the equation to 20 off 6.
The Final Over Drama: Sandeep Sharma Holds His Nerve
Everyone expected Jofra Archer to bowl the last over, but Riyan Parag threw a curveball, handing the ball to Sandeep Sharma. With 20 to defend, Sandeep started with a wide, and the tension was palpable. First ball, Dhoni went big but holed out to Shimron Hetmyer, who took a screamer at deep midwicket. The crowd fell silent, and RR smelled victory.
Jamie Overton, on debut, kept CSK’s hopes flickering with a six off the fourth ball, but Sandeep nailed his yorkers when it mattered. The last two balls yielded just 4 runs, and RR clinched a 6-run win—182/9 to CSK’s 176/6. What a finish!
Standout Performers
- Nitish Rana (81 off 36): The Player of the Match for his explosive knock that set the tone.
- Wanindu Hasaranga (4/35): Broke CSK’s back with his spin wizardry.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (63 off 44): A valiant effort that nearly pulled it off for CSK.
- Sandeep Sharma: The unsung hero who held his nerve in the clutch.
Takeaways
For RR, this was a much-needed win after a rocky start to IPL 2025. Rana’s form and Hasaranga’s magic gave them a boost, though their middle-order wobble is a concern. Parag’s captaincy showed promise, especially his bold call to back Sandeep in the end. CSK, meanwhile, slumped to their second straight loss. Their batting lacked depth, and the Powerplay (42/1) was a letdown compared to RR’s 79/1. Gaikwad fought alone, but the middle order’s collapse and Dhoni’s late entry couldn’t turn the tide.
Final Thoughts
This game had it all—Rana’s fireworks, Hasaranga’s spin, Gaikwad’s grit, and a Dhoni cameo that almost scripted another miracle. RR walked away with their first points of the season, while CSK will rue missed chances. As the IPL 2025 caravan moves on, one thing’s clear: Guwahati knows how to host a thriller!
What did you think of this match? Drop your thoughts below, and stay tuned for more IPL action!
