The 11th match of IPL 2025 delivered exactly what fans crave—drama, flair, and a nail-biting finish. Rajasthan Royals (RR), powered by a breathtaking knock from Nitish Rana and a surgical bowling display from Wanindu Hasaranga, edged past Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by just six runs in Guwahati. While CSK’s innings showed glimpses of a resurgence, their continued middle-order misfires cost them another match in the campaign.
Fell once. Fell twice. Gave it our all to come back tonight 🔥💗 pic.twitter.com/PfLk7tZJoK
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 30, 2025
A Blistering Show from Nitish Rana: Rajasthan Royals’ Counter-Attack Begins Early
The Royals’ innings didn’t begin on the most promising note, losing Yashasvi Jaiswal early, but the inclusion of Nitish Rana at No. 3 turned the tide. Promoted up the order in place of Riyan Parag to target R Ashwin, Rana unleashed an onslaught. Before Ashwin could even be introduced, Rana had already punished the pacers, racing to 27 off 13 balls.
Then came the much-anticipated face-off. Rana, known for his success against Ashwin, extended his IPL tally against the spinner with an electric burst of 6, 6, and 4. By the time Ashwin got his revenge—dismissing Rana via a clever stumping—the damage was done. Rana’s 81 off 36 deliveries was RR’s backbone, and it single-handedly changed the match’s momentum. His innings included jaw-dropping strokeplay and perfect match-up exploitation, underlining RR’s tactical brilliance.
Riyan Parag and Hetmyer Struggle; Pathirana and Noor Spark CSK’s Fightback
Despite Rana’s fireworks, Rajasthan couldn’t fully capitalize. Parag, previously occupying the No. 3 role, was demoted and managed a modest 37. Captain Sanju Samson chipped in with a brief 20 before falling to Noor Ahmad, whose left-arm wrist spin created problems for the Rajasthan Royals. Noor ended with 2 for 28 and momentarily brought CSK back into the contest.
Pathirana, the slingy Sri Lankan quick, also impressed in the death overs, conceding just 17 in his final two overs and claiming key wickets. Hetmyer’s stay was short-lived, and although RR looked set for a score around 200, the lower order faltered, finishing at 182 for 9.
CSK’s Stuttering Start: Archer’s Raw Pace and Deshpande’s Early Pressure
Chasing 183, CSK stumbled early. Jofra Archer announced his IPL 2025 arrival in style with a wicket-maiden, dismissing Rachin Ravindra for a duck with a 145 km/h scorcher. From the other end, Tushar Deshpande made life miserable for Ruturaj Gaikwad with a painful blow on the elbow.
Rahul Tripathi, drafted in to provide firepower, struggled to find rhythm. Although he briefly found form with a six off Archer, he eventually succumbed to Hasaranga, exposing CSK’s frailty against quality spin.
Hasaranga’s Magic Spell: The Turning Point
Hasaranga’s introduction tilted the game firmly in RR’s favor. He dismissed Tripathi with his first ball and later bamboozled Shivam Dube with a wrong’un that was spectacularly caught by Parag. Hasaranga’s mix of flight and pace variation proved too clever for CSK’s middle order.
He then removed Vijay Shankar and the well-set Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had anchored the innings with a fluent 63. That key wicket left CSK needing 54 off 25 balls and disrupted any remaining rhythm in the chase.
Dhoni and Jadeja’s Late Push Falls Short
In the final stages, MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja were CSK’s last hope. Jadeja played a composed hand of 32 off 22, and Dhoni reignited hopes with a trademark ramp shot and a straight six off Deshpande in the penultimate over, which yielded 19 runs.
But with 19 needed off the last over, Sandeep Sharma was brought in. In a high-pressure situation, he dismissed Dhoni with his very first legal delivery. That moment all but sealed CSK’s fate, despite Jadeja’s best efforts to drag the team closer.
Tactical Brilliance and Key Takeaways
- Strategic Match-Up Exploitation: RR’s decision to promote Rana to target Ashwin paid off, proving how data-driven tactics are shaping modern T20 cricket.
- Spin Wins Matches: Hasaranga’s four-wicket haul was a masterclass in leg-spin, and Noor Ahmad’s two crucial breakthroughs for CSK showed the impact wrist spinners have in T20s.
- CSK’s Middle-Order Concerns Continue: Despite Gaikwad’s form, CSK’s batting lacks depth and urgency in the middle overs. The recurring inability to capitalize in key moments is proving costly.
- Death Over Discipline: While RR’s finish with the bat was underwhelming, their death-over bowling by Sandeep and Deshpande sealed the game.
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Grateful for all the yellove
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 30, 2025
Thank you Guwahati! 💛#RRvCSK #WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/mMgATQk6a2
Conclusion
Rajasthan Royals’ six-run win over Chennai Super Kings wasn’t just about superior individual performances—it was about executing a well-thought-out game plan. From shrewd batting promotions to using Hasaranga’s overs at the perfect time, RR displayed depth and clarity in their strategy.
For CSK, the worry continues. Despite flashes of brilliance, inconsistency in the middle order and lack of penetration with the ball at crucial junctures are undermining their campaign. As the tournament progresses, both sides will reflect on this clash—RR for how they turned tactical decisions into results, and CSK for how close they came but still couldn’t cross the line.
