CSK Struggles as RR Aim for First IPL 2025 Victory

By Gurlal Singh

Cricket Player who is writing about cricket now.

Posted: March 30, 2025
Last updated: March 31, 2025

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Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) faced off in match 11 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, marking a critical point in the early tournament stage for both teams.

In the ongoing IPL 2025 season, RR sought to secure their first points after suffering defeats to Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders in their opening matches. Conversely, CSK aimed to recover from a loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore following their victorious start against Mumbai Indians.

RR wrapped up their innings with a score of 182/9, largely thanks to Nitish Rana’s impressive 81-run effort. The venue, Guwahati, is recognized as the second home stadium for RR, adding an element of local support to propel their performance.

CSK, captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad, witnessed a promising start with Gaikwad himself scoring a 38-ball half-century before falling victim to Wanindu Hasaranga’s effective bowling. Hasaranga delivered a standout performance, taking crucial wickets including that of CSK’s Rahul Tripathi and Vijay Shankar.

Despite a decent powerplay score of 42-1, CSK struggled with their chase, underlined by the fact they had not successfully chased a total exceeding 180 runs since 2019. Such challenges became evident as CSK lagged behind the required run rate.

Both teams made strategic adjustments, with CSK introducing Jamie Overton and Vijay Shankar in place of Sam Curran and Deepak Hooda. RR was captained by Riyan Parag, with Sanju Samson assuming the role of wicketkeeper.

Before the match, CSK opted to bowl first after winning the toss, a decision influenced by previous head-to-head records against RR. Historically, CSK leads with 16 victories out of 29 clashes, though RR has proved to be a formidable opponent with 13 wins.

In conclusion, CSK faced significant hurdles in maintaining their form against an RR team eager for redemption. As the IPL 2025 season progresses, this match will be remembered for its representation of strategic plays and individual performances shaping team outcomes.