For a team haunted by chasing nightmares all season, the Rajasthan Royals might have saved their best for last. Despite losing eight of their previous nine chases in IPL 2025, they stuck with their game plan one final time, and this time, it clicked.
Powered by a calculated knock from Vaibhav Suryavanshi and a late blitz from Dhruv Jurel, RR eased past Chennai Super Kings with 17 balls to spare in what could be a fitting conclusion to a frustrating campaign.
With the ball reversing and RR bowlers stepping up for once in a chase, CSK were held to 187 — a score that seemed well below par on a batting-friendly surface at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The win briefly lifted Rajasthan off the bottom of the table, but it’s the yellow brigade that is now at risk of finishing last for the first time in its IPL history.
CSK Collapse Early, Mhatre and Brevis Steady the Ship
The game began with a bizarre passage of play. CSK lost five wickets inside the first eight overs — not to vicious swing, pace, or spin, but to length balls with no discernible movement. Yudhvir Singh picked up three wickets in this strange phase, including that of Ravindra Jadeja, as Chennai crumbled to 50 for five.
Just as things looked dire, Ayush Mhatre and R Ashwin (promoted to No. 4) launched a counter-attack. Mhatre, in particular, took on the field, scoring 43 off just 20 deliveries with a barrage of lofted drives and pick-up shots that cleared the infield. Dewald Brevis then joined Shivam Dube and added 59 runs for the sixth wicket, with Brevis smashing 42 off 25. Their efforts revived the innings somewhat, but the final flourish never came.
Madhwal’s Reverse Swing Turns the Tide
Akash Madhwal brought into the attack as late as the 12th over, turned out to be RR’s trump card. After conceding 10 off his first two deliveries, he quickly identified reverse swing as his weapon and went full throttle with yorkers and dipping full tosses. Eight perfect yorkers in four overs and clever variations saw him concede just 17 runs in his spell and pick up the key wicket of Brevis.
Tushar Deshpande complemented Madhwal brilliantly, and CSK managed only 17 runs in the last three overs — a phase that cost them dearly in the end.
Jaiswal Ignites, Suryavanshi Controls
Chasing 188, Yashasvi Jaiswal gave RR the early thrust yet again. Although his first boundary came off the glove, it marked the 13th time he hit the first ball of the innings for four in the IPL — a record. He quickly raced to 36 off 19 balls before falling, but his burst ensured Rajasthan were ahead of the rate from the start.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, playing with a maturity beyond his years, anchored the innings while finding boundaries at will. He targeted Noor Ahmad early, smashing him for six, four, and four in a single over, and later dispatched Jadeja’s spin for maximums. His 57 off 33 balls not only showed power but a calm understanding of the situation — a trait RR had sorely missed during previous chases.
Sanju Samson played the ideal foil, taking on R Ashwin’s experience with two trademark sixes and ensuring there were no mid-innings hiccups. Together, they added vital runs at a brisk pace, reducing the equation to a manageable 50 by the 14th over.
Ashwin’s Double Strike Raises CSK Hopes Briefly
Just when the game seemed done and dusted, Ashwin sparked a flicker of hope for Chennai. In the 14th over, he removed both set batters — Samson and Suryavanshi — exposing RR’s middle order that has struggled under pressure this season. But Dhruv Jurel, long considered a future finisher for India, was in no mood to panic.
Jurel and Hetmyer Calmly Finish the Job
In previous failed chases, Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer were often at the crease when things unraveled. This time, they made sure the script read differently. Jurel launched Jadeja for a six and a four, pierced gaps off Noor, and then hit Ashwin for a match-sealing six. His 31 off 12 was flashy but assured — a reminder of his untapped finishing potential.
Hetmyer, playing second fiddle, ensured the duo stayed calm, collected, and clinical.
What This Means
While the victory had no bearing on RR’s playoff chances, it was a morale-boosting finish to a season of close shaves. More importantly, it ensured they didn’t finish with the wooden spoon — at least for now. CSK, on the other hand, must now win their final game by a big margin to avoid finishing last, an unimaginable scenario for one of IPL’s most successful franchises.
For Rajasthan, the win might be too little too late, but for Chennai, the alarm bells are louder than ever.
Brief Scores:
Rajasthan Royals 188 for 4 (Suryavanshi 57, Samson 41, Jaiswal 36, Jurel 31*, Ashwin 2-41) beat Chennai Super Kings 187 for 8 (Mhatre 43, Brevis 42, Dube 39, Madhwal 3-29, Yudhvir 3-47) by six wickets.
