The 62nd match of IPL 2025 brought fans an electrifying encounter as Rajasthan Royals (RR) wrapped up their season with an emphatic six-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on May 20, 2025.
While neither team qualified for the playoffs, RR’s performance was a statement of intent and promise for the future. Meanwhile, CSK ended a difficult campaign on a somber note, finishing at the bottom of the points table.
Let’s dive into a comprehensive analysis of the match, individual highlights, key stats, and the emotional moment that won hearts across the nation.
🧾 Match Overview
- Match: Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals
- Date: May 20, 2025
- Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- Toss Winner: Rajasthan Royals (opted to bowl)
- Result: RR won by 6 wickets with 17 balls remaining
- Player of the Match: Akash Madhwal – 3 wickets for 29 runs (4 overs)
🟡 CSK’s Innings: 187/8 (20 Overs)
Batting first after being put in, CSK managed to post a respectable total of 187 runs for 8 wickets. Their innings had a few standout moments but lacked sustained momentum due to tight bowling spells by RR.
🔥 Notable Batting Performances (CSK):
- Ayush Mhatre: A blazing 43 runs off 20 balls, including 8 boundaries and a six, provided a crucial late push to the total.
- Dewald Brevis: Steadied the innings with 42 off 25 deliveries, hitting 2 fours and 3 sixes.
- Shivam Dube: Contributed a composed 39 runs off 32 balls, anchoring the middle overs.
Despite this, CSK’s lineup struggled to string together partnerships. The innings seemed poised for a bigger score until Akash Madhwal intervened with a match-altering spell.
🟣 Rajasthan Royals’ Response: 188/4 (17.1 Overs)
Chasing 188, Rajasthan Royals showed clinical precision and power-hitting to chase down the target in just 17.1 overs. Their top order delivered a commanding performance, and the finishing touches left no room for CSK to bounce back.
💥 Star Performers (RR):
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi: The 14-year-old prodigy starred once again, smashing 57 runs off just 33 balls, including 4 boundaries and 4 sixes. His aggressive yet mature approach proved decisive.
- Sanju Samson (Captain): Played a captain’s knock with 41 runs off 31 balls, providing stability and rotating strike effectively.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: Set the tone at the top with a brisk 36 off 19 balls, finding the fence with ease.
The Royals lost a few wickets in the middle, but their run rate never dipped below the required mark, ensuring a comfortable finish with nearly three overs to spare.
🏅 Player of the Match: Akash Madhwal
Akash Madhwal’s incredible bowling spell of 3/29 in four overs was pivotal in restricting CSK under 190. His variations and death-over accuracy stopped CSK from reaching a potentially match-winning total. He rightly earned the Player of the Match award for his impact.
💖 The Moment That Melted Hearts: Suryavanshi & Dhoni
One of the most touching moments of IPL 2025 unfolded after the final delivery was bowled. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the teenage sensation of the Royals, approached MS Dhoni — a cricketing legend and CSK icon — and touched his feet in a gesture of traditional Indian respect.
This symbolic passing of the torch between generations captured the imagination of fans and went viral across social media platforms. Many viewers described it as a “poetic moment” — the future of Indian cricket paying tribute to its most enduring legend.
“The smoothest generational shift Indian cricket has ever seen.” – A fan on Twitter
📉 Season Standings Recap
- Rajasthan Royals: Ended their campaign just outside playoff contention but showcased tremendous young talent and fighting spirit.
- Chennai Super Kings: Finished at the bottom of the table, marking a difficult season and raising questions about the team’s future direction.
📌 Key Takeaways from the Match
- RR’s aggressive batting lineup can chase even stiff targets with ease.
- CSK’s inconsistent bowling and middle-order struggles hurt them yet again.
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s emergence is perhaps the biggest positive for RR and Indian cricket fans.
- Emotional sportsmanship moments, like Dhoni and Suryavanshi, remind us of the IPL’s human side.
📊 Full Scorecard & Stats
🟡 Chennai Super Kings Innings – 187/8 (20 Overs)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayush Mhatre | 43 | 20 | 8 | 1 | 215.00 |
| Devon Conway | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Urvil Patel | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 13 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 162.50 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20.00 |
| Dewald Brevis | 42 | 25 | 2 | 3 | 168.00 |
| Shivam Dube | 39 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 121.87 |
| MS Dhoni (C & WK) | 16 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 94.11 |
| Anshul Kamboj | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.66 |
| Noor Ahmad | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Extras (12 wides, 1 no-ball) | 16 | – | – | – | – |
Total: 187/8 in 20 overs
Fall of Wickets:
- Conway (1.4 ov)
- Patel (1.6 ov)
- Mhatre (5.5 ov)
- Ashwin (6.3 ov)
- Jadeja (7.4 ov)
- Brevis (13.4 ov)
- Dube (19.1 ov)
- Dhoni (19.5 ov)
Bowling (RR):
- Tushar Deshpande: 4 overs, 33 runs, 1 wicket
- Yudhvir Singh: 4 overs, 47 runs, 3 wickets
- Wanindu Hasaranga: 4 overs, 27 runs, 1 wicket
- Akash Madhwal: 4 overs, 29 runs, 3 wickets
- Riyan Parag: 2 overs, 26 runs, 0 wickets
🟣 Rajasthan Royals Innings – 188/4 (17.1 Overs)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 36 | 19 | 5 | 2 | 189.47 |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | 57 | 33 | 4 | 4 | 172.72 |
| Sanju Samson (C & WK) | 41 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 132.25 |
| Riyan Parag | 24 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 200.00 |
| Dhruv Jurel (not out) | 31* | 14 | 3 | 2 | 221.42 |
| Extras (1 wide) | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Total: | 188/4 in 17.1 overs | – | – | – | – |
Fall of Wickets:
- Jaiswal (3.4 ov)
- Suryavanshi (13.6 ov)
- Samson (13.2 ov)
- Parag (15.4 ov)
Bowling (CSK):
Ravindra Jadeja: 2 overs, 27 runs, 0 wickets
Khaleel Ahmed: 3 overs, 35 runs, 0 wickets
Anshul Kamboj: 3 overs, 21 runs, 1 wicket
Ravichandran Ashwin: 4 overs, 41 runs, 2 wickets
Noor Ahmad: 3 overs, 42 runs, 1 wicket
Matheesha Pathirana: 2.1 overs, 22 runs, 0 wickets
🙋 What’s Next for These Teams?
As both teams exit IPL 2025, there’s plenty to reflect on:
- CSK will need to rethink their core strategy and possibly plan for a post-Dhoni era.
- RR, on the other hand, will look to retain and nurture emerging talents like Suryavanshi, Jaiswal, and Madhwal.
🗣 Final Thoughts
The CSK vs RR clash may not have impacted the playoff table, but it delivered drama, talent, and emotion in abundance. For fans, this was more than a match — it was a story of transition, promise, and cricket’s enduring charm.
Let us know what your favorite moment from the game was. Could Vaibhav be India’s next big thing? Should CSK rebuild with youth? Share your thoughts in the comments!
