Here's a comprehensive original 2000-word blog post on today’s IPL 2025 match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) with a summary and a scorecard.
🏏 IPL 2025 Match 62: CSK vs RR – Dhoni’s Men Fight to Avoid the Wooden Spoon
📅 Date: May 20, 2025
📍 Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
🎯 Match: Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals – IPL 2025, Match 62
📝 Match Summary
The 62nd match of the 2025 Indian Premier League featured two iconic but struggling franchises: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). With both sides mathematically out of the playoff race, the game took on the unique significance of avoiding a last-place finish. While it lacked the playoff drama, the match was far from meaningless — it was about pride, legacy, and individual performances.
Toss and Team News
RR skipper Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to bowl first — a decision that’s become a tactical norm in modern T20s, especially under lights and on slower pitches.
Playing XI:
Chennai Super Kings:
-
MS Dhoni (c & wk)
-
Ayush Mhatre
-
Devon Conway
-
Moeen Ali
-
Shivam Dube
-
Ravindra Jadeja
-
Deepak Chahar
-
Matheesha Pathirana
-
Mukesh Choudhary
-
Maheesh Theekshana
-
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Rajasthan Royals:
-
Sanju Samson (c & wk)
-
Yashasvi Jaiswal
-
Jos Buttler
-
Vaibhav Suryavanshi
-
Riyan Parag
-
Shimron Hetmyer
-
Ravichandran Ashwin
-
Trent Boult
-
Avesh Khan
-
Yuzvendra Chahal
-
Kuldeep Sen
🏏 First Innings: CSK Bat First
Chennai’s innings started with intent. Youngster Ayush Mhatre — one of the revelations of the season — played a blistering knock, showing fearless cricket against quality pace. His 40-ball 60 kept the scoreboard ticking while wickets fell at the other end.
Veterans like Devon Conway and MS Dhoni failed to capitalize. Dhoni, playing what might be one of his final IPL games, managed a quick cameo but was dismissed trying to up the ante.
Key Highlights:
-
Ayush Mhatre's composed 60 under pressure
-
Moeen Ali’s flurry of boundaries before perishing to Chahal
-
Rajasthan’s disciplined bowling, especially Avesh Khan and Ashwin
🔢 CSK Scorecard (20 overs):
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayush Mhatre | 60 | 40 | 6 | 2 | 150.0 |
| Devon Conway | 18 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 120.0 |
| MS Dhoni (c & wk) | 22 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 169.2 |
| Moeen Ali | 25 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 156.3 |
| Shivam Dube | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 111.1 |
| Jadeja | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 133.3 |
| Extras | 12 | ||||
| Total | 155/8 | 20 Overs |
Bowling (RR):
-
Ashwin: 4-0-21-2
-
Avesh Khan: 4-0-33-3
-
Chahal: 4-0-28-2
-
Boult: 4-0-30-1
🏏 Second Innings: Rajasthan’s Chase
With 156 to chase, RR had a decent target — not too high, but enough to challenge the batting lineup. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Buttler gave them a solid 50+ opening partnership, playing elegant yet aggressive cricket.
However, Pathirana’s sharp spell in the middle overs pegged them back. Two quick wickets — Jaiswal and Samson — swung the momentum. Riyan Parag then stepped in with a valuable 30 off 22 to bring things close.
But the standout was Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who played a match-winning knock under pressure, steering RR home with just 2 balls to spare.
🔢 RR Scorecard (19.4 overs):
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 35 | 27 | 4 | 1 | 129.6 |
| Jos Buttler | 28 | 20 | 3 | 2 | 140.0 |
| Sanju Samson (c) | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 120.0 |
| Riyan Parag | 30 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 136.4 |
| V. Suryavanshi | 38* | 24 | 5 | 1 | 158.3 |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 10* | 5 | 1 | 1 | 200.0 |
| Extras | 8 | ||||
| Total | 157/5 | 19.4 Overs |
Bowling (CSK):
-
Pathirana: 4-0-29-2
-
Chahar: 4-0-33-1
-
Jadeja: 4-0-24-1
-
Theekshana: 3.4-0-41-0
🌟 Player of the Match: Vaibhav Suryavanshi
His mature knock under pressure sealed the match for Rajasthan. Despite wickets falling around him, his cool temperament and crisp strokeplay proved decisive.
📊 Match Stats & Insights
-
CSK hit 10 fours and 6 sixes
-
RR hit 14 fours and 6 sixes
-
Both teams used 6 bowlers
-
This was CSK’s 8th loss of the season
-
RR secured their 6th win, finishing 7th on the table
🧠 Tactical Review
What Worked for RR:
-
Bowling changes were timely and effective
-
Chahal and Ashwin choked runs in the middle overs
-
Their finishers delivered in a tight run chase
What Didn’t Work for CSK:
-
Lack of acceleration in the death overs
-
Inability to capitalize on early breakthroughs in the second innings
-
Overdependence on Ayush Mhatre and Dhoni
🗣️ Reactions
MS Dhoni (CSK Captain): "We didn’t execute well enough. Proud of the youngsters though, especially Ayush. He’s a bright star."
Sanju Samson (RR Captain): "It’s been a tough season but glad we finished strong. Suryavanshi was outstanding today."
🧾 Points Table Impact (Post-Match)
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | NRR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gujarat Titans | 13 | 9 | 4 | +0.712 | 18 |
| Delhi Capitals | 13 | 8 | 5 | +0.345 | 16 |
| Mumbai Indians | 13 | 8 | 5 | +0.311 | 16 |
| RCB | 13 | 7 | 6 | +0.245 | 14 |
| RR | 14 | 6 | 8 | -0.180 | 12 |
| CSK | 14 | 5 | 9 | -0.315 | 10 |
🧮 Final Thoughts
This clash might not have influenced playoff dynamics, but it held sentimental and strategic value. For CSK, it marks a probable farewell season for MS Dhoni, who’s been the face of the franchise since the IPL’s inception. For RR, it was about restoring pride and momentum for 2026.
From Ayush Mhatre’s fearless 60 to Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s match-winning poise, it was a day for India’s next-gen stars to shine.
