CSK vs RR IPL 2025 : Fireworks & Fumbles – CSK Post 187 in a Chaotic First Innings

🏏 Powerplay Pandemonium: CSK Go Full-Throttle Despite Early Jolts

Chennai Super Kings stormed into the CSK vs RR IPL 2025 encounter with aggression, but Rajasthan Royals struck early. Devon Conway departed cheaply in the second over, caught by Riyan Parag off Yudhvir Singh for just 1(4), while Urvil Patel followed suit, miscuing a drive and falling to a leaping Kwena Maphaka—gone for a duck.

Despite being 2 down early, the aggressive intent from Ayush Mhatre and Ashwin kept the scoreboard ticking. Ashwin smacked a six and four off Yudhvir in the fourth over, while Mhatre counterattacked with consecutive boundaries. The fifth over saw Mhatre’s onslaught reach its peak—three back-to-back boundaries and a partnership fifty. But just as he looked set for a big one, Deshpande struck—Mhatre caught by Maphaka for a rapid 43(20) including 8 fours and a six.

Powerplay Score: CSK 66/3 after 6 overs

Mid-Innings Surge: Brevis and Dube Launch Counterattack

After the carnage-filled powerplay, Dewald Brevis walked in and lit up the middle overs. He began with a flurry—smashing sixes off Riyan Parag and Kwena Maphaka, then adding a rasping four and another six to storm CSK past 100 in the 10th over.

On the other end, Shivam Dube complemented the aggression with calculated risks. A flicked four off Yudhvir and a clever guide past point brought CSK fans to their feet.

Brevis was looking ominous on 42(25) with 3 sixes and 2 fours when Akash Madhwal got the vital breakthrough—bowled him with a tailing full delivery in the 13th over. A big blow just as CSK were set for a 200+ total.

Dube’s Domination & MS Dhoni’s Classic Cameo

With wickets falling regularly, Shivam Dube took it upon himself to stabilize while still attacking. A massive six off Hasaranga in the 14th, followed by a towering blow over long-off in the 16th, signaled Dube’s intent.

Enter MS Dhoni at 104/5 in the 14th over. And the crowd roared. He responded with a ferocious six straight down the ground off Parag in the 16th. Despite dot balls building pressure, MSD turned back the clock with raw power.

But Dube’s fine innings of 39(32), including 2 fours and 2 sixes, came to an end in the 19th over—caught by Jaiswal trying to clear long-on. The final flourish was left to Dhoni and Anshul Kamboj.

Final Overs Fizzle: Madhwal’s Magic Ends CSK’s Charge

The death overs were dramatic. Kamboj smacked a boundary through long-on, but MS Dhoni’s paddle-sweep backfired. He fell for 16(17), caught by Tushar Deshpande at short fine-leg. Madhwal’s variations and full-tosses strangled the finish as CSK failed to breach 190.

The innings ended on a sloppy fielding error by RR—Noor Ahmad pinched two after a misfield by Samson. Final total: CSK 187/8 in 20 overs

🎯 Bowling Breakdown – RR’s Mixed Bag

• Yudhvir Singh: A rollercoaster spell—picked up Conway and Urvil Patel early but went for 24 runs in a single over. Finished with 3/47.
• Tushar Deshpande: Showed character after getting hit—removed Mhatre at a crucial time. Ended with 1/33.

• Wanindu Hasaranga: Provided vital breakthroughs including Ashwin and Dube. Figures: 1/27 in 4 overs.
• Akash Madhwal: MVP of the innings. Removed Brevis, Dube, and Dhoni. Ended with 3/29.

Key Highlights from CSK’s First Innings

• Ayush Mhatre’s powerplay blitz: 43 off 20 (8 fours, 1 six)
• Dewald Brevis’s fireworks: 42 off 25 (2 fours, 3 sixes)
• Shivam Dube’s stabilizing knock: 39 off 32 (2 fours, 2 sixes)
• MS Dhoni’s cameo: 16 off 17 (1 six) – but couldn’t finish with a flourish
• Akash Madhwal’s death bowling: 3/36 – turned the innings around

Strategic Analysis – Did CSK Leave Runs on the Table?

With 187/8 on a batting-friendly pitch, CSK might feel 10-15 short. Despite multiple mini-blitzes by Mhatre, Brevis, and Dube, the regular fall of wickets robbed them of momentum. MS Dhoni’s late arrival and the dismissal of Brevis at a crucial time hurt the acceleration phase.

The Royals’ bowlers, especially Hasaranga and Madhwal, deserve credit for choking CSK in overs 13–20 with disciplined variations and smart field placements.

Hidden Insight – CSK’s Risky Approach: Blessing or Burden?

CSK’s ultra-aggressive approach has been a double-edged sword in IPL 2025. In this innings too, their batters looked to attack every ball—resulting in frequent boundary hits but equally frequent dismissals. Five of their wickets fell due to mistimed big hits.

The top-order collapse was salvaged by Mhatre and Brevis, but without a big 70+ anchor innings, CSK ended up with an exciting yet slightly underwhelming total.

📊 First Innings Summary – CSK vs RR IPL 2025 Match 45

Total: 187/8 in 20 overs
Top Bowler (RR): Akash Madhwal – 3/29
Pitch Verdict: Good batting deck, but smart bowling still rewards effort.

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