On April 5, 2025, Delhi Capitals (DC) ended a 15-year drought at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 25 runs in IPL 2025 Match 17. DC posted 183/6, driven by KL Rahul’s match-defining 77, while CSK’s chase faltered at 158/5 despite MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 30 off 26. DC’s third consecutive win vaulted them to the top, while CSK’s third loss in four games deepened their early-season woes. Here’s how DC turned the tide in this day clash (3:30 PM IST start).
Table of Contents
Toss and Team Changes
DC captain Axar Patel won the toss and chose to bat, anticipating a slowing pitch (Web ID 6). CSK, with Ruturaj Gaikwad fit despite an elbow scare from the RR game, rested Vijay Shankar for Sameer Rizvi, fielding: Gaikwad (c), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, and Matheesha Pathirana. DC replaced the injured Faf du Plessis (niggle, per Axar at the toss) with Sameer Rizvi: KL Rahul, Sameer Rizvi, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel (c), Donovan Ferreira (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Mitchell Starc, and Vipraj Nigam (Web ID 0).
DC’s Innings: Rahul’s Anchor Role
DC started briskly—Rahul and Rizvi (replacing Faf) took 67/1 in the powerplay, but Rizvi’s 11 off 8 ended via Pathirana (2/28) (Web ID 7). Rahul’s 77 off 51 (6 fours, 2 sixes), his fifty in 33 balls, held the innings together, supported by Fraser-McGurk’s 33 off 20 (X @iskarthi_). Stubbs (18) and Ashutosh (13) kept the momentum, but Pathirana and Jadeja (1/30) pegged DC back, conceding just 45 in the last 5 overs from 138/4 (Web ID 11). Mukesh Kumar’s 1* off 1 closed it at 183/6 in 20 overs, a defendable total on a grippy track.
CSK’s Chase: Early Collapse, Late Spark
CSK’s pursuit unraveled fast—Mukesh Kumar (1/28) nabbed Conway (6) and Ravindra (3), and Starc (1/32) removed Gaikwad (5), leaving them 41/3 after 5.3 overs (Web ID 7). Tripathi (8) fell to Kuldeep Yadav (1/25), and Dube’s 25 off 19 couldn’t ignite a revival against Vipraj Nigam’s 1/18 (Web ID 24). Dhoni’s 30* off 26 (1 four, 1 six off Mukesh in the 20th) thrilled fans, but with 54 needed off the last 12 balls, CSK ended at 158/5 in 20 overs. DC’s spin and pace choked the chase, per X (@shreyamatsharma).
Pitch and Conditions: Daytime Grip
Chepauk’s dry pitch offered early pace (DC 67/2 vs CSK 44/3 in powerplays) but slowed, aiding spinners (Web ID 4). With no dew in the day game (32°C, 69% humidity), 183 was a tough ask—CSK’s batting intent lagged, as noted on X (@skbshots). DC’s bowlers exploited the grip superbly.
Key Performers
- KL Rahul (DC): 77 off 51—Player of the Match for his clutch knock.
- Matheesha Pathirana (CSK): 2/28—stemmed DC’s late surge.
- MS Dhoni (CSK): 30* off 26—lone resistance.
- Kuldeep Yadav (DC): 1/25—middle-over stranglehold.
Head-to-Head: DC’s Rare Feat
CSK’s 19-11 H2H edge over DC in 31 games slipped to 19-12 (Web ID 23). DC’s first Chepauk win since 2010 defied CSK’s 7-2 venue record, a massive upset.
What’s Next?
DC (3-0) face GT at home on April 8, eyeing a perfect run. CSK (1-3) head to Hyderabad to meet SRH on April 8, needing a reset. Can Gaikwad regroup?
