IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals Outclass CSK by 24 Runs to Seal Third Straight Win in IPL 2025

KL Rahul’s 77 and a spin masterclass by Vipraj Nigam and Kuldeep Yadav lift DC to the top of the points table; CSK suffer third defeat despite late resistance from Vijay Shankar and Dhoni

Chennai, April 5:
Delhi Capitals (DC) continued their flawless run in IPL 2025, registering their third consecutive win by defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 24 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, on Saturday. Powered by KL Rahul’s commanding 77 and tight bowling from Vipraj Nigam (2/27) and Kuldeep Yadav (1/30), DC defended a strong total of 183/6 with authority.

With this win, DC now top the points table, while CSK—despite some late-order resistance from Vijay Shankar (69*) and MS Dhoni (30*)—slipped to the 8th position with one win in four matches.

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CSK’s Run Chase Falters Early

CSK’s chase of 184 began on a shaky note. Openers Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway failed to provide a strong start. Ravindra departed for 3 off 7, caught and bowled by Mukesh Kumar, while skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (5) fell to Mitchell Starc’s precision and a smart catch by Jake Fraser-McGurk.

From 20/2, CSK tried to rebuild through Vijay Shankar and Conway, but a clever googly from Vipraj Nigam ended Conway’s stay at 13. The spin web continued to choke CSK’s innings as Shivam Dube (18) and Ravindra Jadeja (2) also fell cheaply, leaving the hosts reeling at 74/5.

MS Dhoni’s arrival sparked energy in the crowd, but with the required run rate climbing, even his finishing heroics were not enough. CSK ended their innings at 158/6, falling short by 24 runs.

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Rahul Anchors DC to 183

Earlier, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, Delhi Capitals suffered an early jolt as Jake Fraser-McGurk was dismissed for a duck. However, KL Rahul and Abishek Porel (33) revived the innings with a 50-run stand in the powerplay.

Post Porel’s dismissal, Rahul held the innings together, reaching his first IPL half-century for DC in 33 balls, supported by cameos from Axar Patel (21), Sameer Rizvi (20) and *Tristan Stubbs (24)**. DC finished strong, adding crucial runs in the death overs.

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Bowling Brilliance Seals the Deal for DC

DC’s bowling unit executed their plans to perfection. Vipraj Nigam’s guile and Kuldeep Yadav’s control squeezed CSK in the middle overs, while Mitchell Starc and Mukesh Kumar applied early pressure. The spin duo exploited the Chepauk surface expertly, giving little room for CSK batters to free their arms.

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Key Performances

• KL Rahul (77 off 51) – Anchored DC’s innings with elegance
• Vipraj Nigam (2/27) – Turned the game with his middle-over breakthroughs
• Vijay Shankar (69 off 54)* – Lone warrior in CSK’s batting lineup
• MS Dhoni (30 off 26)* – Late effort that drew cheers but couldn’t change the outcome

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What’s Next?

Delhi Capitals, riding high with three wins in three matches, will look to maintain their momentum in the coming fixtures. CSK, on the other hand, must regroup quickly as they face pressure mounting early in the tournament.

Brief Score:
Delhi Capitals: 183/6 (KL Rahul 77, Abishek Porel 33; Khaleel Ahmed 2/25)
Chennai Super Kings: 158/6 (Vijay Shankar 69*, MS Dhoni 30*; Vipraj Nigam 2/27)