NEW DELHI: KL Rahul played a sublime knock under pressure to steer Delhi Capitals to their third straight victory in the Indian Premier League 2025, defeating Chennai Super Kings by 25 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday. With this win, DC not only extended their unbeaten streak this season but also scripted their first win at Chepauk in 15 years.
The foundation of Delhi’s 183/6 was built on Rahul’s elegant yet powerful 77 off 51 deliveries. Mixing finesse with brute force, the stylish right-hander struck six boundaries and three sixes, anchoring the innings masterfully. Despite a shaky start — losing Jake Fraser-McGurk early to Khaleel Ahmed — Delhi recovered through Abishek Porel’s brisk 33 off 20 and a steady middle-order partnership between Rahul and Sameer Rizvi (20).
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While Tristan Stubbs added a quickfire 24 not out at the end, Matheesha Pathirana’s tidy final over ensured CSK restricted DC from posting a bigger total.
In reply, CSK stumbled early in their chase. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway fell inside the powerplay, with Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar and young spinner Vipraj Nigam (2/27) denting the top order. At 41/3, CSK were always chasing the game.
Vijay Shankar fought hard with a well-made 69 not out, and MS Dhoni remained unbeaten on 30, but the asking rate kept climbing. With the pitch offering grip and Delhi’s bowlers maintaining discipline, Chennai managed only 158/5 in their 20 overs.
Earlier, DC captain Axar Patel’s cameo (21 off 14) and his six off Jadeja hinted at a flourish, but he too fell after getting set. Rahul, meanwhile, held one end firmly and reached his 38th IPL fifty in style. His knock not only stabilised DC’s innings but also allowed others to play freely around him.
With three wins in three games, Delhi Capitals look like early title contenders. For CSK, however, the loss marks a worrying trend, with questions looming over their inconsistent top order and inability to control games at home.
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