Chennai Super Kings (CSK) began their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign with a thrilling four-wicket win over arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. CSK successfully chased down MI’s target of 156, driven by a composed half-century from Rachin Ravindra and a match-winning bowling spell from Afghanistan’s spin sensation Noor Ahmed.
The ‘X Factor’ for CSK: Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad reveals the choice
Following the match, CSK’s captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, heaped praise on Noor, terming him the ‘X Factor’ in their bowling lineup. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Gaikwad expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance but admitted they would have preferred a more clinical finish with the bat. The young left-arm wrist spinner, who was CSK’s most expensive buy in the 2025 mega auction at ₹10 crore, proved his worth by dismantling MI’s middle order, finishing with his best-ever IPL figures.
“Happy to be on the winning side. We would have liked to be more clinical, but that’s how the game goes. The move to bat at No. 3 was to provide balance to the team, and I’m happy to make that adjustment. The spinners were right on point, and since the auction, we were really excited about the prospect of our three spinners bowling in tandem at Chepauk. Khaleel Ahmed brings experience, and Noor is the X factor, which is why we wanted him in the team. And of course, it’s great to have Ash (Ravichandran Ashwin) back in yellow,” Gaikwad said.
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CSK’s spin dominance at Chepauk against MI
CSK’s tactical approach to recruit multiple spinners for home conditions paid dividends immediately, with Noor’s spell proving to be the turning point. The young Afghan spinner bamboozled the MI batters with his variations, accounting for key dismissals that derailed MI’s innings. His 4/18 remains the best spell by a CSK spinner against MI in IPL history.
Noor’s performance was well complemented by Khaleel Ahmed, who bagged 3/29, and Ravichandran Ashwin, who marked his return to CSK by dismissing Will Jacks. MI, despite promising starts from Suryakumar Yadav (29) and Tilak Varma (31), struggled to build momentum, ultimately finishing at 155/9 in 20 overs.
CSK’s chase began with a slight stutter as Mumbai’s pacers struck early. Impact Substitute Rahul Tripathi, promoted to open the innings, fell cheaply for 2, but Gaikwad steadied the innings with a blistering 53 off 26 balls. His innings included his fastest IPL fifty. With the match hanging in balance, New Zealand’s dynamic all-rounder Ravindra played a mature knock, scoring an unbeaten 65 off 45 balls.
CSK vs RCB: The high-voltage IPL 2025 clash awaits
After a triumphant start, CSK now gears up for their second IPL 2025 match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 28. This fixture will be one of the most anticipated clashes of the season, with RCB entering the contest under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, their new captain. With CSK playing in front of their passionate home crowd at Chepauk, they will aim to continue their winning momentum and establish themselves as early title contenders.
For CSK, the match against RCB presents an opportunity to refine their batting approach and build on their bowling strengths. With Chennai’s spin trio poised to dominate on their home turf, RCB will have to come up with a solid plan to counter CSK’s bowling attack. As the five-time champions look to build on their legacy, all eyes will be on Chepauk for yet another blockbuster IPL clash.
