CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals Clinch First Victory, Beat Chennai Super Kings by 6 Runs
Rajasthan Royals registered a thrilling win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday. CSK’s captain won the toss and opted to bowl first. Powered by a brilliant 81-run knock from Nitish Rana, Rajasthan posted a total of 182 runs. In response, CSK could only manage 176, falling short by 6 runs in a close encounter.
Chasing a target of 183, CSK’s Ruturaj Gaikwad played a captain’s innings, scoring 63 off 44 balls, but couldn’t take his team to victory. Rahul Tripathi contributed 23 runs, Shivam Dube added 18, and MS Dhoni scored 16 before being dismissed. Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on 32.
In the final over, CSK needed 20 runs off 6 balls, with Sandeep Sharma bowling. Dhoni smashed a six on the first delivery but was dismissed on the second. The remaining 4 balls yielded only 10 runs, and CSK fell short by 6 runs.
For Rajasthan, Wanindu Hasaranga was the standout bowler with 4 wickets. Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma took one wicket each.
Earlier, after being put in to bat, Rajasthan Royals scored 182 runs in their 20 overs. The start wasn’t ideal as Yashasvi Jaiswal hit a boundary on the first ball but was dismissed by Khaleel Ahmed immediately after.
Nitish Rana and Sanju Samson (20) stitched an 82-run partnership in 42 balls, with Rana hammering 81 runs off 36 deliveries. Captain Riyan Parag, playing at home, scored 37 with 2 fours and 2 sixes but lacked fluency. Royals managed only 37 runs in the last five overs.
Shimron Hetmyer chipped in with 19 off 16 in the final overs to take Rajasthan to 182.
For CSK, left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad took 2 wickets for 28 runs. Matheesha Pathirana bowled economically in the death overs, also claiming 2 wickets for 28 runs, while Khaleel Ahmed bagged 2 wickets for 38 runs.
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