The Indian Premier League (IPL) always brings excitement, and the match between Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings Match Scorecard on April 5, 2025, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai was no exception. This 17th match of the IPL 2025 season was a showdown between two teams with rich histories and passionate fan bases. Delhi Capitals, led by Axar Patel, took on Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Chennai Super Kings in a game that had fans on the edge of their seats. In this article, we’ll dive into the match details, break down the scorecard, and share the moments that made this game unforgettable—all in a way that’s easy to follow, whether you’re a young cricket fan or someone who’s been watching for years.
The Build-Up to the Match
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the scorecard, let’s set the scene. Chennai Super Kings, the five-time IPL champions, have long been a dominant force, especially at their home ground, Chepauk. The roar of the Chennai crowd and the sight of MS Dhoni in the yellow jersey always make matches at this venue special. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals have been building a strong team over the years, blending young talent with experienced players. Coming into this game, DC were riding high with three wins in three matches, while CSK had stumbled after a strong start, losing their last three games. The stakes were high, and the atmosphere was electric.
The match was extra special because it marked a rare occasion: MS Dhoni’s parents, Pan Singh and Devika Devi, were in the stands, watching their son play at Chepauk for the first time since CSK’s IPL journey began in 2008. Dhoni’s wife, Sakshi, and daughter, Ziva, were also there, adding to the emotional weight of the day. For Delhi, the absence of Faf du Plessis meant KL Rahul stepped up to open the batting, a decision that would prove pivotal.
The Toss and Team Line-Ups
Delhi Capitals won the toss and chose to bat first, a bold move on a Chepauk pitch known to favor spinners and slow down as the game progresses. The pitch had shown some help for pacers in recent games, but spinners were expected to play a big role. Here’s how the teams lined up:
Delhi Capitals Playing XI: Axar Patel (c), Jake Fraser-McGurk, KL Rahul (wk), Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar (Impact Sub).
Chennai Super Kings Playing XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube (Impact Sub).
There was some uncertainty about Gaikwad’s participation due to an elbow injury, but he confirmed his fitness at the toss, ruling out any chance of Dhoni leading the side.
Delhi Capitals’ Batting: KL Rahul Shines
Delhi Capitals got off to a rocky start when Jake Fraser-McGurk was dismissed for a duck in the first over, caught by Ravichandran Ashwin off Khaleel Ahmed’s bowling. But KL Rahul and Abishek Porel steadied the ship with a solid partnership. Rahul, opening the innings, played with confidence, scoring 77 runs off 51 balls, including 6 fours and 3 sixes. His half-century came in just 33 balls, setting the tone for DC’s innings. Porel contributed a quick 33 off 20 balls, helping DC reach 50 runs in 5.4 overs.
The middle overs saw contributions from Axar Patel (18 off an overpitched delivery smashed for a six) and Tristan Stubbs (24 not out). However, CSK’s bowlers, led by Khaleel Ahmed (2/25) and Matheesha Pathirana (1/31), kept things tight. Pathirana’s brilliant catch to dismiss Porel was a highlight, and despite some expensive overs, CSK managed to restrict DC to 183/6 in 20 overs. The total felt above par, especially with the pitch expected to slow down for the chase.
Chennai Super Kings’ Chase: A Tough Road
Chasing 184, CSK needed a strong start, but their top order crumbled early. Rachin Ravindra (14) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (20) fell inside the powerplay, leaving CSK at 41/3 after 5.3 overs. Devon Conway and Shivam Dube tried to rebuild, but Vipraj Nigam’s tight bowling (2/27) dismissed both, leaving CSK at 74/5 by the 10th over. The required run rate climbed steadily, and the pressure was on.
Enter MS Dhoni and Vijay Shankar. Dhoni, walking out to a roaring crowd, played a gritty knock of 30 not out off 26 balls, including a towering six and a four in the final overs. Shankar anchored the innings with an unbeaten 69 off 54 balls, but their 84-run partnership for the sixth wicket came too late. DC’s bowlers, led by Nigam and Mitchell Starc (1/27), kept the runs in check, and Mukesh Kumar’s final over sealed the deal. CSK finished at 158/5, falling 25 runs short.
Key Moments That Defined the Match
This match had its share of unforgettable moments. KL Rahul’s 77 was a masterclass in anchoring an innings, while Abishek Porel’s quickfire 33 gave DC the momentum they needed. For CSK, Dhoni’s late surge, including a six off Mukesh Kumar that sailed into the stands, sent the Chepauk crowd into a frenzy. However, DC’s disciplined bowling, especially in the middle overs, ensured CSK couldn’t find the big overs needed to keep up with the run rate.
Another talking point was DC ending a 15-year drought at Chepauk. Their last win against CSK at this venue was in 2010, making this victory a historic one. The presence of Dhoni’s family in the stands added an emotional layer, but even their support couldn’t spark the magic CSK needed.
The Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings Match Scorecard: A Detailed Breakdown
Here’s the full Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings Match Scorecard, laid out clearly so you can see how each player performed.
|
Team |
Player |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Delhi Capitals |
Jake Fraser-McGurk |
0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
c Ashwin b Khaleel Ahmed |
|
KL Rahul (wk) |
77 | 51 | 6 | 3 | 150.98 |
Out |
|
|
Abishek Porel |
33 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 165.00 |
c Pathirana b Jadeja |
|
|
Axar Patel (c) |
18 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 180.00 |
Out |
|
|
Sameer Rizvi |
13 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 130.00 |
Out |
|
|
Tristan Stubbs |
24* | 14 | 2 | 1 | 171.43 |
Not Out |
|
|
Ashutosh Sharma |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Out |
|
|
Vipraj Nigam |
1* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
Not Out |
|
|
Extras |
(3 wides, 2 no-balls) |
5 | |||||
|
Total |
183/6 |
20 overs |
|||||
|
Chennai Super Kings |
Rachin Ravindra |
14 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 175.00 |
Out |
|
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c) |
20 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 200.00 |
Out |
|
|
Devon Conway |
10 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 |
c & b Nigam |
|
|
Shivam Dube |
12 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 92.31 |
c Stubbs b Nigam |
|
|
Ravindra Jadeja |
5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 71.43 |
Out |
|
|
Vijay Shankar |
69* | 54 | 5 | 1 | 127.78 |
Not Out |
|
|
MS Dhoni (wk) |
30* | 26 | 2 | 1 | 115.38 |
Not Out |
|
|
Extras |
(5 wides, 1 leg bye) |
6 | |||||
|
Total |
158/5 |
20 overs |
|
Bowling (DC) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mitchell Starc |
4 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 |
|
Vipraj Nigam |
4 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 6.75 |
|
Kuldeep Yadav |
4 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 7.50 |
|
Mohit Sharma |
4 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 8.50 |
|
Mukesh Kumar |
4 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 10.00 |
|
Bowling (CSK) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Khaleel Ahmed |
4 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 6.25 |
|
Mukesh Choudhary |
4 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 8.75 |
|
Ravichandran Ashwin |
3 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 9.33 |
|
Noor Ahmad |
3 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 10.00 |
|
Matheesha Pathirana |
4 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 7.75 |
|
Ravindra Jadeja |
2 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 14.50 |
Fall of Wickets (DC): 0/1 (Fraser-McGurk, 0.5), 54/2 (Porel, 6.5), 90/3 (Patel, 10.4), 146/4 (Rizvi, 16.1), 179/5 (Rahul, 19.2), 180/6 (Sharma, 19.3).
Fall of Wickets (CSK): 14/1 (Ravindra, 1.5), 20/2 (Gaikwad, 2.3), 41/3 (Conway, 5.3), 65/4 (Dube, 9.2), 74/5 (Jadeja, 10.4).
Player of the Match: KL Rahul (DC) – 77 runs off 51 balls.
Post-Match Reflections
After the game, KL Rahul was named Player of the Match for his stellar knock. He spoke about how he adapted to opening the innings after preparing to bat at number four, showcasing his versatility. Axar Patel, DC’s captain, praised his team’s execution, saying they focused on making an impact in every game. For CSK, Ruturaj Gaikwad admitted their powerplay struggles in both batting and bowling were a concern, and the team needed to regroup.
The match was a reminder of how unpredictable the IPL can be. DC’s clinical performance outshone CSK’s late fightback, proving that strategy and execution often trump reputation. For fans, seeing Dhoni hit a six in the final over was a nostalgic moment, even if it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
Why This Match Mattered
This wasn’t just another IPL game—it was a historic win for Delhi Capitals, breaking a 15-year jinx at Chepauk. For CSK, it was a wake-up call after three straight losses. The match showcased the brilliance of young players like Abishek Porel and Vipraj Nigam, alongside veterans like Rahul and Dhoni. It also highlighted the evolving nature of T20 cricket, where adaptability and smart tactics can make all the difference.
