CSK Holds Nerve to Stun Mumbai Indians Again
The IPL 2025 season’s third game was packed with drama, edge-of-the-seat moments, and the kind of hope only cricket fans understand. At a roaring MA Chidambaram Stadium, the IPL 2025 clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) wasn’t just a contest—it became a story about momentum, pressure, and the sheer grit needed to break a losing curse.
With 13 losses draped around them like an anchor, Mumbai’s misery grew heavier. Setting 156 seemed at least a fighting total on Chepauk’s tricky surface. The effort was anchored almost single-handedly by Rachin Ravindra, who put together a brisk 65 off just 45 balls. Each boundary from him felt like a spark, giving a nervy MI side something to hold on to. But once he walked back—caught trying to force the pace—Mumbai’s middle and lower order simply didn’t offer enough resistance. Contributions fizzled, and MI’s innings limped to a stuttering 155 for 7.
Chepauk Roars as Dhoni Steers CSK Past the Line
If chasing 156 sounded straightforward for CSK, Mumbai’s bowling and fielding kept the contest alive well into the final overs. Chennai’s chase stumbled early, as wickets fell at untimely junctures. Ruturaj Gaikwad flattered to deceive with a couple of crisp boundaries. Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube started brightly but let the pressure mount. Then came the turning point: Ravindra Jadeja, midway to steadying the ship, got run out thanks to some sharp fielding. The Chepauk crowd almost fell silent—until MS Dhoni strode out. His mere presence charged the stadium back to life.
Dhoni didn’t have to play a big innings. In his brief stay, he knocked off crucial singles, pushed his partner, and ran hard. His calm during the death overs, the way he marshalled his partner, reflected why this stadium becomes a fortress for CSK. Shivam Dube and Daryl Mitchell played key supporting roles, dealing with MI’s disciplined bowlers and the ever-climbing required run rate. In the end, CSK crossed the finish line with 5 balls and 4 wickets to spare, closing at 158 for 6. The last leg was textbook Dhoni-era calm: calculated risks, quick running, and pouncing on every scoring opportunity.
For Mumbai, it’s becoming painfully familiar. Suryakumar Yadav, thrust into captaincy with Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah unavailable, once again wore the look of a man searching for answers. He pointed to MI’s injury list but also admitted the team needed more discipline and hunger in key moments. The fielding—highlighted by the run-out, yes—also saw dropped catches and overthrows that let CSK off the hook.
The crowd—so much a part of CSK’s home advantage—seemed to pull the yellow jerseys across the line, roaring for every single and jeering every MI misstep. For the fans who packed Chepauk, this wasn’t just a win; it was a shot of nostalgia, seeing Dhoni steer a tense chase, and once again feeling the sense of invincibility that CSK has crafted on this pitch over the years.
As Mumbai heads back to the drawing board searching for that elusive win and CSK rides yet another high, the IPL’s 2025 season is already delivering all the unpredictability and drama fans crave.