MI’s season starts in disaster as CSK’s new stars dominate at Chepauk!

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secured a hard-fought four-wicket victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI) in their first match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season at Chepauk. The high-profile encounter, featuring the league’s two most successful franchises, saw CSK chase down a target of 156 with five balls to spare, thanks to Rachin Ravindra‘s composed 65* and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s explosive half-century. Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad played a pivotal role in dismantling MI’s batting lineup, picking up four wickets for just 18 runs.

How Has the CSK vs MI Rivalry Evolved in IPL History?

The battle between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians has long been one of the most anticipated clashes in IPL history. As two of the most decorated franchises, they have shared a fierce rivalry dating back to the inaugural season in 2008.

Mumbai Indians hold the record for the most IPL titles, having won the tournament five times, while CSK are close behind with multiple championships of their own. Their encounters have often served as defining moments in IPL seasons, including high-stakes playoff battles and two IPL final showdowns in 2010 and 2019—both of which were decided by razor-thin margins.

Chepauk, CSK’s fortress, has historically favoured the home side, with its spin-friendly pitches complementing their bowling attack. However, Mumbai have often found ways to break the trend, most notably in the IPL 2019 final, where they edged out CSK by a single run in a dramatic finish.

How Did Chennai Super Kings Take Control of the Match?

Winning the toss, CSK opted to field first, a decision influenced by the pitch’s favourable conditions for spin later in the innings. The return of seasoned campaigner Ravichandran Ashwin and the inclusion of promising spinner Noor Ahmad signalled CSK’s strategy of using their spin-heavy attack to counter MI’s power-packed batting lineup.

Mumbai Indians suffered an early setback as Khaleel Ahmed dismissed Rohit Sharma for a four-ball duck. This was a continuation of Rohit’s recent struggles against left-arm pace in the IPL—a pattern that has troubled him over the years. MI’s young wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Rickelton followed soon after, also falling to Khaleel, leaving MI vulnerable inside the Powerplay.

Stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma attempted to stabilize MI’s innings, but Noor Ahmad’s sensational spell turned the game decisively in CSK’s favour. The Afghan wrist-spinner deceived MI’s batters with his variations, removing Yadav, Robin Minz, and Varma in quick succession. His performance was reminiscent of past IPL greats like Muttiah Muralitharan and Imran Tahir, who have previously thrived on Chepauk’s slow surfaces.

At 110/6, MI seemed destined for a below-par total until a late cameo from Deepak Chahar, a former CSK seamer now playing for MI, lifted them to 155/9. His aggressive hitting in the final overs gave MI something to defend.

How Did CSK Approach the Chase?

CSK began their innings with an unexpected move, promoting Rahul Tripathi as an opener alongside Rachin Ravindra. However, the experiment failed as Tripathi was dismissed cheaply by Deepak Chahar. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad then took charge, launching a counterattack reminiscent of his past IPL performances, where he has often played a stabilizing role for CSK at the top.

Gaikwad’s rapid 53-run knock ensured CSK had the upper hand in the Powerplay, posting 62/1 in six overs. His aggressive intent, particularly against Mumbai’s pace attack, set the tone for the innings. This was in stark contrast to MI’s Powerplay performance, where they managed only 52/3, losing key wickets early.

However, MI fought back in the middle overs through debutant Vignesh Puthur. The unorthodox spinner picked up three crucial wickets, dismissing Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda, slowing CSK’s momentum. This phase saw MI apply the kind of spin pressure that was once their Achilles’ heel in past seasons at Chepauk.

Despite losing wickets, Rachin Ravindra anchored the chase, pacing his innings carefully before accelerating in the death overs. With 37 runs needed in the final five overs, he struck two massive sixes off Puthur in the 18th over, effectively sealing MI’s fate. While a miscommunication led to Ravindra Jadeja’s run-out in the penultimate over, Rachin ensured CSK’s victory with a towering six off Mitchell Santner.

What Were the Decisive Moments in the Match?

The Powerplay phase proved decisive. While both teams struggled against spin in the middle overs, CSK’s stronger start made the difference. Mumbai Indians managed 52/3 in their first six overs, while CSK posted a commanding 62/1. The ten-run advantage in this crucial phase allowed CSK to absorb setbacks in the middle overs and still finish the chase with confidence.

The role of Noor Ahmad in the middle overs was another key factor. His spell not only restricted MI’s scoring rate but also broke their backbone by removing set batsmen. His ability to extract turn and deceive batters underlined the importance of wrist spin at Chepauk.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s aggressive intent in the Powerplay set the stage for CSK’s chase, putting MI’s bowlers on the back foot early. Even after his dismissal, Rachin Ravindra’s calculated finishing act ensured CSK crossed the line without major hiccups.

What Does This Result Mean for CSK and MI Going Forward?

For CSK, this victory reaffirms their strength on home soil. Their spin-heavy bowling attack, combined with reliable batting performances from Rachin and Gaikwad, makes them a formidable contender once again. Their next fixture against Royal Challengers Bangalore, another high-profile clash, will be an opportunity to build momentum.

For MI, the defeat continues their struggles in season openers—this marks the 13th consecutive time they have failed to win their first match of an IPL season. Their over-reliance on middle-order contributions and inability to counter spin remain areas of concern. With a crucial away fixture against Gujarat Titans up next, MI will need to address these weaknesses quickly to avoid falling behind in the tournament.