IPL 2025: CSK Snap Losing Streak with Dhoni-Dube Masterclass Against LSG
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) revived their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign in emphatic fashion, securing a much-needed five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 30 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a challenging total of 167 on a sluggish pitch, CSK relied on clinical bowling, a confident top-order start, and a classic MS Dhoni finish to end their five-match losing streak and notch up only their second win of the season.
Disciplined Bowling Restricts LSG
Electing to bowl first, CSK’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance. Khaleel Ahmed set the tone by dismissing Aiden Markram in the opening over, thanks to a brilliant catch from Rahul Tripathi. Anshul Kamboj then removed the dangerous Nicholas Pooran for 8, aided by a successful DRS appeal taken by none other than Dhoni.
LSG captain Rishabh Pant was the lone warrior, scoring a fighting 63 off 49 balls — his first fifty of the season. He stitched important stands with Mitchell Marsh (30) and Ayush Badoni (22), but LSG faltered in the death overs. Ravindra Jadeja was instrumental in the middle overs, taking 2/24 including Marsh and Badoni. Dhoni also marked his 200th IPL fielding dismissal with a lightning-quick stumping off Jadeja.
Matheesha Pathirana and Noor Ahmad tightened the screws at the death, restricting LSG to 166/7 — a total deemed below par on the turn-friendly surface.
CSK’s Aggressive Start and Middle-Order Wobble
In a bold move, CSK handed IPL debuts to Shaik Rasheed, who opened with Rachin Ravindra. The duo added a blistering 50-run stand in just 4.2 overs, with Rasheed impressing with a 27-run cameo. Rachin was equally fluent, scoring 37 off 22.
However, the middle overs saw CSK lose quick wickets to spin, as Ravi Bishnoi and Markram struck in succession. Jadeja and Vijay Shankar fell while trying to accelerate, and CSK found themselves at 111/5 after 15 overs, needing 56 from 30 balls.
Dhoni Turns Back the Clock
Enter MS Dhoni. Walking in with the match in the balance, he began cautiously before launching into vintage mode. A boundary-laced over off Shardul Thakur, including a signature one-handed six, reignited CSK’s hopes.
At the other end, Shivam Dube bided his time before exploding in the penultimate over. He smashed Thakur for 19 runs, including a six and a four, reducing the target to just 4 runs. Dhoni fittingly saw the team through with an unbeaten 26 off 11, while Dube stayed not out on 43 off 37.
Brief Scores:
Lucknow Super Giants: 166/7 in 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 63, Mitchell Marsh 30; Ravindra Jadeja 2/24, Matheesha Pathirana 2/45)
Chennai Super Kings: 170/5 in 19 overs (Shivam Dube 43*, Rachin Ravindra 37; Ravi Bishnoi 2/18, Digvesh Rathi 1/23)
Result: CSK won by 5 wickets.
With this win, CSK breathed life back into their playoff hopes, while LSG will be left ruing missed opportunities and a below-par finish with the bat.
