The Indian Premier League (IPL) never fails to deliver excitement, and the clash between Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings Match on May 20, 2025, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi was no exception. This match, the 62nd of the IPL 2025 season, was a battle for pride between two teams struggling at the bottom of the points table. Rajasthan Royals emerged victorious by 6 wickets, chasing down CSK’s total of 187 with 17 balls to spare. Let’s dive into the details of this exciting game, break down the Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings match scorecard, and relive the moments that made it unforgettable.
A Match for Pride
Both RR and CSK had endured tough campaigns in IPL 2025. Chennai Super Kings, the five-time champions, were languishing at the bottom with only three wins from 12 matches. Rajasthan Royals, the inaugural IPL champions, were just above them in ninth place with three wins from 13 games. With neither team in contention for the playoffs, this match was about salvaging pride and giving fans something to cheer about.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium, known for its batting-friendly pitches and short boundaries, promised a high-scoring affair. Historically, RR and CSK have had a closely contested rivalry, with CSK holding a slight edge in their 31 IPL meetings (16 wins to RR’s 15). This game added another chapter to their storied rivalry, with RR’s young guns stepping up to outshine CSK’s experience.
Toss and Team News
Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to field first, a decision influenced by the dew factor and the chasing-friendly nature of the Delhi pitch. Both teams made strategic changes to their line-ups. CSK brought in Matheesha Pathirana as an Impact Player, while RR relied on their young talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Akash Madhwal to make a difference.
CSK Playing XI: Devon Conway, Urvil Patel, Ayush Mhatre, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (wk), Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed (Impact Player: Matheesha Pathirana).
RR Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson (c, wk), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Yudhvir Singh, Kwena Maphaka, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Madhwal.
Chennai Super Kings Innings: A Mixed Bag
CSK’s batting got off to a shaky start. Yudhvir Singh struck twice in the second over, removing openers Devon Conway and Urvil Patel for ducks, leaving CSK at 12/2. Ayush Mhatre and Ravichandran Ashwin counter-attacked, with Mhatre smashing three consecutive boundaries off Tushar Deshpande. Their 56-run partnership for the third wicket steadied the ship, but Mhatre fell for 43 (20 balls) on the last ball of the powerplay, dismissed by Deshpande.
Ashwin (12) and Ravindra Jadeja (2) followed soon after, leaving CSK at 78/5 in 7.4 overs. Dewald Brevis (42 off 25) and Shivam Dube (13) then stitched together a crucial 59-run stand for the sixth wicket, taking CSK past 100. Brevis played with flair, hitting powerful shots, but his dismissal in the 13th over triggered another mini-collapse. MS Dhoni, batting at No. 8, scored a gritty 7 off 8 balls before falling to Akash Madhwal, who was the pick of the RR bowlers with figures of 3/29.
CSK finished at 187/8 in 20 overs, a competitive total but perhaps 20 runs short of what they would have liked on this batting-friendly pitch. Yudhvir Singh (3/47) and Akash Madhwal were the standout bowlers for RR, while Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with a wicket.
CSK Batting Scorecard
|
Batsman |
Dismissal |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Devon Conway |
c Jaiswal b Yudhvir Singh |
0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Urvil Patel |
c Samson b Yudhvir Singh |
0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Ayush Mhatre |
c Jurel b Deshpande |
43 | 20 | 6 | 2 | 215.00 |
|
Ravichandran Ashwin |
c Parag b Hasaranga |
12 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 133.33 |
|
Ravindra Jadeja |
lbw b Madhwal |
2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
|
Dewald Brevis |
c Jaiswal b Yudhvir Singh |
42 | 25 | 4 | 2 | 168.00 |
|
Shivam Dube |
c Hetmyer b Deshpande |
13 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 81.25 |
|
MS Dhoni (wk) |
c Parag b Madhwal |
7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 87.50 |
|
Anshul Kamboj |
not out |
5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 83.33 |
|
Noor Ahmad |
not out |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
|
Extras |
(b 4, lb 2, w 12, nb 0) |
18 | ||||
|
Total |
(20 overs, 8 wickets) |
187 |
RR Bowling Figures
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kwena Maphaka |
2 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 12.00 |
|
Yudhvir Singh |
4 | 0 | 47 | 3 | 11.75 |
|
Tushar Deshpande |
4 | 0 | 30 | 2 | 7.50 |
|
Akash Madhwal |
4 | 0 | 29 | 3 | 7.25 |
|
Wanindu Hasaranga |
4 | 0 | 34 | 1 | 8.50 |
|
Riyan Parag |
2 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 8.50 |
Rajasthan Royals Innings: A Clinical Chase
Chasing 188, RR got off to a blazing start, thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal’s aggressive 36 off 19 balls. Jaiswal smashed 18 runs off Khaleel Ahmed’s second over, setting the tone for the chase. However, he was bowled by Anshul Kamboj in the fifth over, ending a 49-run opening stand with Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old prodigy, stole the show with a mature 57 off 33 balls, including four sixes. His 98-run partnership with captain Sanju Samson (41 off 31) for the second wicket put RR in control. Suryavanshi’s fearless yet composed knock earned him praise as one of the finds of IPL 2025. Samson played a supporting role, ensuring RR stayed ahead of the required run rate.
Ravichandran Ashwin (2/41) struck twice, dismissing Suryavanshi and Riyan Parag (10), but Shimron Hetmyer (22* off 10) and Dhruv Jurel (13* off 5) finished the job in style. Jurel sealed the victory with a massive six off a full toss from Noor Ahmad, as RR reached 188/4 in 17.1 overs.
RR Batting Scorecard
|
Batsman |
Dismissal |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Yashasvi Jaiswal |
b Kamboj |
36 | 19 | 5 | 1 | 189.47 |
|
Vaibhav Suryavanshi |
c Conway b Ashwin |
57 | 33 | 5 | 4 | 172.73 |
|
Sanju Samson (c, wk) |
c Jadeja b Ashwin |
41 | 31 | 4 | 0 | 132.26 |
|
Riyan Parag |
b Noor Ahmad |
10 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 142.86 |
|
Shimron Hetmyer |
not out |
22 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 220.00 |
|
Dhruv Jurel |
not out |
13 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 260.00 |
|
Extras |
(b 0, lb 2, w 7, nb 0) |
9 | ||||
|
Total |
(17.1 overs, 4 wickets) |
188 |
CSK Bowling Figures
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Khaleel Ahmed |
3 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 12.33 |
|
Anshul Kamboj |
3 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 7.00 |
|
Matheesha Pathirana |
3 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 11.33 |
|
Ravichandran Ashwin |
4 | 0 | 41 | 2 | 10.25 |
|
Noor Ahmad |
3.1 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 11.68 |
|
Ravindra Jadeja |
1 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 16.00 |
Key Moments of Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings Match Scorecard
-
Yudhvir Singh’s Double Strike: The young pacer set the tone for RR’s bowling by dismissing Conway and Patel in the second over, putting CSK on the back foot early.
-
Ayush Mhatre’s Counter-Attack: Mhatre’s 43 off 20 balls, including six fours and two sixes, gave CSK hope during the powerplay.
-
Akash Madhwal’s Brilliance: Madhwal’s 3/29, including the wickets of Jadeja and Dhoni, earned him the Player of the Match award.
-
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s Heroics: The 14-year-old’s 57 off 33 balls was the highlight of RR’s chase, showcasing his immense potential.
-
Dhruv Jurel’s Finishing Touch: Jurel’s massive six to seal the victory was a fitting end to RR’s clinical chase.
Player of the Match: Akash Madhwal
Akash Madhwal’s disciplined bowling performance (3/29 in 4 overs) was instrumental in restricting CSK to 187. His ability to pick up key wickets, including Jadeja and Dhoni, earned him the Player of the Match award. Madhwal’s control in the death overs ensured RR had a chaseable target.
What Made This Match Special?
This match was a showcase of young talent. Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s fearless batting, Akash Madhwal’s clutch bowling, and Ayush Mhatre’s explosive knock highlighted the emergence of the next generation of IPL stars. For CSK fans, it was bittersweet to see MS Dhoni’s brief cameo, as questions about his IPL future lingered. RR’s victory was a morale booster, ending their campaign on a high note despite a disappointing season.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium’s lively atmosphere, combined with the competitive spirit of both teams, made this game a memorable one. It was a reminder that even in a season of struggles, the IPL can produce moments of magic.
Head-to-Head Context of Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings Match Scorecard
Historically, CSK and RR have been evenly matched. In their 31 IPL encounters before this game, CSK had won 16, while RR had 15 victories. This win leveled the head-to-head record, with RR proving they could challenge the mighty CSK even in tough times. The rivalry, dating back to the IPL’s inaugural season in 2008, continues to be one of the most exciting in the tournament.
What’s Next for RR and CSK?
For Rajasthan Royals, this win was a silver lining in a challenging season. With young talents like Suryavanshi, Jaiswal, and Madhwal showing promise, RR will look to rebuild for IPL 2026. Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, face tough questions. Their “dad’s army” strategy faltered in 2025, and the team may need to invest in younger players to regain their dominance. Both teams will use this match as a learning experience as they prepare for the future.
Conclusion
The Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings match scorecard tells the story of a thrilling IPL 2025 encounter. RR’s clinical chase, led by Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s brilliance and Akash Madhwal’s bowling heroics, outshone CSK’s valiant effort. This game was a celebration of cricket’s unpredictability and the emergence of new stars. For fans of both teams, it was a reminder of why the IPL remains the world’s most exciting T20 league.
Whether you’re a die-hard RR supporter or a loyal CSK fan, this match had something for everyone. Here’s to more epic battles between these two cricketing giants in the years to come!
