In the highly anticipated IPL 2025 ‘El Clasico’ on March 23, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) emerged victorious over Mumbai Indians (MI) by four wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Match Highlights:
- Noor Ahmad’s Exceptional Bowling: Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad delivered a standout performance, claiming four wickets for just 18 runs. His efforts were instrumental in restricting MI to a total of 155 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Steady Knock: CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad anchored the chase with a composed 53 runs, setting a solid foundation for the team.
- Rachin Ravindra’s Finishing Touch: New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 65 runs to guide CSK to victory with five balls to spare.
- Vignesh Puthur’s Impressive Debut: MI’s debutant spinner, Vignesh Puthur, showcased his potential by taking three wickets for 32 runs, momentarily putting CSK under pressure during their chase.
Controversy:
The match was overshadowed by a ball-tampering controversy involving CSK players Ruturaj Gaikwad and Khaleel Ahmed. A video surfaced online suggesting potential misconduct, leading to widespread discussions among fans and officials. The incident has drawn parallels to CSK’s past controversies, notably their two-year suspension starting in 2015 due to their owners’ involvement in the 2013 IPL betting scandal
This victory underscores CSK’s strategic depth and the pivotal role of spin bowling on turning tracks, reaffirming their dominance in the league.
