A spirited spell from Noor Ahmad (4/18) and a gritty 65 from Rachin Ravindra* helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secure a four-wicket win against Mumbai Indians (MI) at Chepauk on Sunday in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Gaikwad Hails Noor Ahmad as ‘X Factor’
Speaking after the match, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad praised Noor Ahmad’s match-winning spell but admitted that CSK could have been more clinical with the bat.
“Happy to be on the winning side, loved to have been more clinical but that is how the game goes. That is the requirement of the team (talking about the move to bat at three) and that gives the team more balance and I am really happy to change my position. The spinners were right on point and right after the auction, one thing we were really excited was all those three spinners bowling in tandem at Chepauk. Khaleel (Ahmed) is experienced and Noor is an X factor and that is why we wanted him in the team and good to have Ash (Ravichandran Ashwin) as well. He (MS Dhoni) is more fitter this year and he is still looking young.”
Match Summary: CSK vs MI
MI’s Struggles with the Bat
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, CSK’s Khaleel Ahmed (3/29) struck early, reducing MI to 36/3. A 51-run stand between Suryakumar Yadav (29 in 26 balls, 2×4, 1×6) and Tilak Varma (31 in 25 balls, 2×4, 2×6) helped MI recover.
However, Noor Ahmad’s spell (4/18) derailed MI’s innings, leading to regular wickets. Deepak Chahar’s late cameo (28 off 15 balls, 2×4, 2×6)* pushed MI to 155/9 in their 20 overs.
CSK’s Chase: Rachin Ravindra Holds His Nerve
CSK’s chase started with an early setback as Rahul Tripathi (2) fell cheaply. However, a 67-run stand between Gaikwad (53 off 26 balls, 6×4, 3×6) and Rachin Ravindra (65 off 45 balls, 4×4, 2×6)* steadied the innings.
Vignesh Puthur’s impressive spell (3/32) put MI back in the game as CSK slipped to 116/5. But a composed partnership between Rachin and Ravindra Jadeja (17 off 18 balls) guided CSK home, securing the victory with four wickets and five balls to spare.
Match Summary:
🏏 Mumbai Indians: 155/9 (Tilak Varma 31, Suryakumar Yadav 29; Noor Ahmad 4/18, Khaleel Ahmed 3/29)
🏏 Chennai Super Kings: 158/6 in 19.1 overs (Rachin Ravindra 65*, Ruturaj Gaikwad 53; Vignesh Puthur 3/32)
✅ CSK won by 4 wickets