Chennai Super Kings Edge Out Mumbai Indians in a Thrilling Encounter
The third match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, held on March 23, 2025, at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, was a blockbuster clash between two of the tournament’s most successful teams—Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI). Known as the “El Clasico” of the IPL, this rivalry lived up to its billing, delivering a rollercoaster of emotions for fans. CSK emerged victorious by 4 wickets with 5 balls to spare, chasing down MI’s total of 155/9 in a game that showcased spin wizardry, clutch moments, and a touch of MS Dhoni magic.
Match Overview
MI won the toss and opted to bat first on a Chepauk pitch known for assisting spinners—a decision that seemed bold but quickly unraveled. CSK’s bowlers, particularly their spinners, exploited the conditions brilliantly, restricting MI to a below-par 155/9. In response, CSK’s chase was a tale of two halves: a breezy start followed by a wobble, before they sealed the deal in the 19th over. Let’s break down the action and present the complete scoreboard of this gripping contest.
Mumbai Indians Innings: Spinners Dominate at Chepauk
MI’s batting lineup, missing Jasprit Bumrah and weakened by Hardik Pandya’s suspension, struggled to find momentum against CSK’s disciplined attack. Openers Ishan Kishan (25 off 19) and Rohit Sharma (19 off 14) provided a decent start, putting on 40 runs in 4.3 overs. However, the introduction of spin changed the game’s complexion.
Noor Ahmad, making his CSK debut, turned the match on its head with a sensational spell of 4/18 in 4 overs. The Afghan spinner dismissed Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (caught behind off a lightning-quick stumping by Dhoni), and Tilak Varma in quick succession, finishing with the best figures by a CSK spinner against MI in IPL history. Ravichandran Ashwin (2/25) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/30) tightened the screws further, choking MI’s middle order on a turning track.
A late cameo from debutant Vignesh Puthur (22* off 12) gave MI some respectability, but their total of 155/9 always felt short on a pitch where spinners ruled the roost.
Mumbai Indians Scoreboard:
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ishan Kishan | 25 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 131.58 |
| Rohit Sharma | 19 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 135.71 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 120.00 |
| Tilak Varma | 14 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 107.69 |
| Will Jacks | 9 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 81.82 |
| Nehal Wadhera | 18 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 112.50 |
| Tim David | 16 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 114.29 |
| Vignesh Puthur | 22* | 12 | 2 | 1 | 183.33 |
| Piyush Chawla | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 114.29 |
| Gerald Coetzee | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 8 | (w 6, lb 2) | |||
| Total | 155/9 | 20 overs |
Fall of Wickets:
1-40 (Rohit Sharma, 4.3 ov), 2-52 (Ishan Kishan, 6.1 ov), 3-64 (Suryakumar Yadav, 7.5 ov), 4-76 (Will Jacks, 9.4 ov), 5-84 (Tilak Varma, 11.2 ov), 6-110 (Nehal Wadhera, 14.6 ov), 7-120 (Tim David, 16.3 ov), 8-141 (Piyush Chawla, 18.2 ov), 9-155 (Gerald Coetzee, 19.6 ov)
Bowling (Chennai Super Kings):
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaleel Ahmed | 4 | 0 | 29 | 3 | 7.25 |
| Deepak Chahar | 2 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 10.00 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 4 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 6.25 |
| Noor Ahmad | 4 | 0 | 18 | 4 | 4.50 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 4 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 7.50 |
| Shivam Dube | 2 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 15.50 |
Chennai Super Kings Innings: A Chase of Grit and Glory
CSK’s chase started with fireworks as captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (53 off 26) and Rachin Ravindra (32 off 21) raced to 80/1 in just 8 overs. Gaikwad’s aggressive intent brought the required rate down to a run-a-ball, but MI fought back with their mystery spinner Vignesh Puthur. The left-arm wrist-spinner, playing his first IPL game, triggered a mini-collapse, dismissing Gaikwad, Ravindra, and Shivam Dube (12 off 10) to finish with 3/32.
At 120/5 in the 15th over, CSK wobbled, but the Chepauk crowd found its voice when MS Dhoni walked out. With 18 needed off the last two overs, Dhoni (12* off 7) and Daryl Mitchell (11* off 8) kept their cool. Mitchell sealed the game with a towering six off Gerald Coetzee in the 19th over, sparking wild celebrations in the stands.
Chennai Super Kings Scoreboard:
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad (c) | 53 | 26 | 6 | 2 | 203.85 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 32 | 21 | 4 | 1 | 152.38 |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 11 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 84.62 |
| Shivam Dube | 12 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Sameer Rizvi | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 62.50 |
| MS Dhoni (wk) | 12* | 7 | 1 | 1 | 171.43 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 11* | 8 | 0 | 1 | 137.50 |
| Extras | 5 | (w 4, lb 1) | |||
| Total | 158/6 | 19.1 overs |
Fall of Wickets:
1-80 (Rachin Ravindra, 7.6 ov), 2-98 (Ruturaj Gaikwad, 10.2 ov), 3-115 (Ajinkya Rahane, 12.5 ov), 4-120 (Shivam Dube, 14.1 ov), 5-130 (Sameer Rizvi, 16.3 ov), 6-140 (end of 18th over)
Bowling (Mumbai Indians):
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Coetzee | 3.1 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 11.05 |
| Arshad Khan | 3 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Shreyas Gopal | 4 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 6.25 |
| Vignesh Puthur | 4 | 0 | 32 | 3 | 8.00 |
| Piyush Chawla | 4 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 8.75 |
| Will Jacks | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5.00 |
Key Moments and Performances
- Noor Ahmad’s Dream Debut: The young Afghan spinner’s 4/18 dismantled MI’s batting, earning him the Player of the Match award and proving CSK’s auction gamble paid off.
- Dhoni’s Stumping Magic: At 43, Dhoni’s lightning reflexes behind the stumps sent Suryakumar Yadav packing, a moment that swung the momentum CSK’s way.
- Puthur’s Fightback: MI’s debutant spinner Vignesh Puthur briefly turned the game with his 3/32, giving MI hope when CSK seemed in control.
- Gaikwad’s Blitz: Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 53 off 26 set the tone for the chase, showcasing his growing stature as CSK’s leader.
- Mitchell’s Finishing Touch: Daryl Mitchell’s six in the penultimate over silenced MI’s comeback dreams and sent Chepauk into raptures.
Final Thoughts
The third match of IPL 2025 was a classic CSK-MI showdown—tight, tense, and packed with drama. CSK’s spin trio of Ashwin, Jadeja, and Noor Ahmad proved too much for MI, while their batting depth, bolstered by Dhoni’s composure, saw them home. For MI, the absence of key players hurt, but Puthur’s emergence offered a silver lining.
Three games into IPL 2025, and the tournament is already delivering thrills aplenty. CSK’s win strengthens their early claim as title contenders, while MI will look to regroup quickly. What’s your take on this match? Let me know in the comments!
