Rajasthan Royals (RR) wrapped up their IPL 2025 campaign with a morale-boosting six-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday. The match saw the emergence of young Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose mature 33-ball 57 set the tone for RR’s successful chase of 188, ensuring they finished a disappointing season on a positive note.
Chasing 188, Rajasthan Royals got off to a flying start thanks to the aggressive intent of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Suryavanshi, who added 37 runs inside the first four overs. The 14-year-old Suryavanshi, already hailed as a wunderkind, showcased not just his power-hitting but also his ability to adapt to the situation, compiling a composed 57 with 4 fours and 4 sixes.
Skipper Sanju Samson (41 off 31 balls) joined Suryavanshi to stitch together a formidable 98-run partnership for the second wicket. Their stand all but sealed the contest for RR, with both batters showing a mix of aggression and maturity. Suryavanshi’s dismissal in the 14th over by Ravichandran Ashwin, followed by Samson’s wicket four balls later, briefly threatened to derail the chase as RR lost Riyan Parag soon after.
With the pressure mounting and familiar frailties in run-chases threatening to surface, Dhruv Jurel (31 off 12) and Shimron Hetmyer (12 off 5) kept their nerve. The duo ensured there were no further hiccups, smashing boundaries at will and finishing the match with 17 balls to spare. Jurel’s cameo, featuring 2 fours and 3 sixes, was instrumental in RR’s strong finish.
Earlier, after being put in to bat, Chennai Super Kings managed 187/8 in their 20 overs. Despite a brisk scoring rate for much of the innings, CSK faltered in the final stretch. They looked set for a 200-plus total but managed only 28 runs for the loss of two wickets in the last four overs, thanks to accurate death bowling by RR and the inability of CSK’s finishers to clear the field on a batting-friendly pitch.
Ayush Mhatre, the 17-year-old opener, was a rare bright spot for CSK, smashing a 20-ball 43 (8×4, 1×6). Dewald Brevis also contributed a quickfire 42 off 25 balls, helping CSK maintain a run rate of nine an over in the middle overs. However, the loss of wickets at regular intervals and a lack of momentum in the death overs meant CSK’s total was below par.
Key Stats and Turning Points
- RR’s Opening Stand: Jaiswal and Suryavanshi’s 37-run partnership set the tone for the chase.
- Suryavanshi-Samson Partnership: Their 98-run stand all but decided the contest.
- CSK’s Death Overs: Only 28 runs scored in the last four overs, with just two boundaries, proved costly.
- CSK’s Top Order Woes: The top three combined average and strike rate were the lowest among all teams this season.
- Jurel’s Finishing Touch: Dhruv Jurel’s explosive 12-ball 31 ensured RR crossed the line comfortably.
With this win, Rajasthan Royals ended their IPL 2025 campaign on a high, while Chennai Super Kings slipped to their 10th defeat in 13 matches—one of their worst seasons in IPL history. The match highlighted the promise of young Indian talents like Suryavanshi and Mhatre, even as both teams look ahead to rebuilding for the next season.
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