In a commanding finale to their IPL 2025 campaign, the Rajasthan Royals sailed to a six‑wicket victory over the Chennai Super Kings at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday. Their win handed CSK a near‑insurmountable mountain to climb if they hope to avoid finishing bottom of the table.
Madhwal & Charak Turn the Screws
Electing to field, RR’s pace duo ran riot. Akash Madhwal dazzled with unerring yorkers and late reverse swing, finishing with 3–29. Fresh from national duties, Yudhvir Singh Charak struck early in the powerplay to claim 3–47, including the prized scalp of Devon Conway. Their combined effort restricted CSK to 187/8, a total that felt below par despite resilient knocks from Ayush Mhatre (43) and Dewald Brevis (42).
Suryavanshi’s Sensational Debut
Chasing 188, 14‑year‑old Vaibhav Suryavanshi announced himself on the big stage with a fearless 57 off 33 balls, peppered with four fours and four towering sixes. His timing and shot selection belied his age, setting the tone for a rapid chase.
Senior Proves Steady Hand
Captain Sanju Samson complemented the youngster’s fireworks with a measured 41, anchoring the innings at 56/1 at the powerplay. Dhruv Jurel provided the finishing burst—smashing 31 off 12*—before dispatching Pathirana over mid‑wicket to seal victory with 17 balls to spare.
Key Moments
CSK’s Ayush Mhatre burst out with aggressive pulls and lofts, forging a 56‑run partnership before holing out to Tushar Deshpande. RR’s spin trio kept CSK’s middle order in check; Wanindu Hasaranga and Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with vital breakthroughs. In the chase, RR capitalized on loose deliveries by Khaleel Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj, scoring fluently until Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for 36 trying to clear the stumps.
Implications for Playoffs
While RR bow out on a high, CSK now need a monumental win over Gujarat Titans this Sunday to avoid the wooden spoon. For Rajasthan, this emphatic performance offers hope—especially the emergence of Suryavanshi—as they look to build momentum for 2026.
Brief Scores:
CSK 187/8 (20 overs) – Ayush Mhatre 43; Akash Madhwal 3–29, Yudhvir Charak 3–47
RR 188/4 (17.1 overs) – Vaibhav Suryavanshi 57, Sanju Samson 41; Ravichandran Ashwin 2–41, Anshul Kamboj 1–2
