In a thrilling encounter at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on March 30, 2025, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) clinched their first victory of the IPL 2025 season by defeating the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 6 runs.
This match was crucial for both teams, as RR aimed to break their losing streak while CSK sought to regain momentum after a recent defeat.
Match Summary
- Rajasthan Royals: 182/9 in 20 overs
- Chennai Super Kings: 176 all out in 19.4 overs
- Result: Rajasthan Royals won by 6 runs
Key Performers
Rajasthan Royals
- Nitish Rana was the standout performer for RR, scoring a sensational 81 runs off 36 balls, which included 7 fours and 5 sixes. His explosive innings helped propel RR to a competitive total.
- Wanindu Hasaranga played a crucial role with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 29 runs in his four overs, effectively dismantling CSK’s middle order and stifling their chase.
Chennai Super Kings
- Despite a valiant effort from Ruturaj Gaikwad, who scored 63 runs off 44 balls, CSK struggled to build partnerships and lost wickets at regular intervals.
- The experienced duo of MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja contributed with quick runs but could not finish the game, with Dhoni falling for just 16 runs as CSK’s hopes dwindled.
Match Insights
RR entered the match under pressure after losing their first two games of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders. Captain Riyan Parag was looking to inspire his team to turn their fortunes around. Batting first, RR managed to set a target of 182 runs, but they faltered towards the end, losing wickets quickly after a strong start.
CSK, on the other hand, had started their campaign with a win against Mumbai Indians but faced a disappointing loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their previous match.
The team was looking to bounce back strongly but fell short in their chase despite some promising starts.
The match showcased the importance of middle-order contributions and effective bowling strategies, especially from Hasaranga, who proved to be a game-changer for RR.
With this victory, Rajasthan Royals not only secured their first points of IPL 2025 but also gained much-needed confidence moving forward.
The win will catalyze RR as they look to build momentum in upcoming matches.
For Chennai Super Kings, this defeat raises questions about their batting depth and bowling effectiveness as they aim to regroup and find form in the tournament.
