In a historic turn of events, the Delhi Capitals (DC) have finally broken their 15-year curse against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This victory not only marks the end of a long-standing drought but also propels DC to the top of the IPL 2025 points table, showcasing their resurgence in the tournament.
The match, which took place on a balmy evening, saw DC clinch a convincing 25-run victory over CSK. This win is particularly significant as it is DC’s third consecutive victory in the IPL 2025 season, a milestone they last achieved in 2009. The triumph has boosted their morale and positioned them as serious contenders for the title.
DC’s innings got off to a rocky start with opener Jake Fraser-McGurk being dismissed for a duck in the first over. However, the team was steadied by a stellar performance from KL Rahul, who was promoted to open in the absence of Faf du Plessis. Rahul’s composed 77 off 51 balls laid a solid foundation for the innings. Contributions from young talents Abishek Porel and Sameer Rizvi, along with a late flourish by Tristan Stubbs, who scored an unbeaten 24 off just 12 deliveries, helped DC post a competitive total of 183/6. Despite Matheesha Pathirana’s efforts in the death overs, DC managed to set a challenging target.
In response, CSK’s chase faltered from the outset. The home team struggled to build partnerships, with wickets falling at regular intervals. DC’s bowler Vipraj Nigam made significant inroads, claiming the crucial wickets of Devon Conway and another key batsman. The dismissals of Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube for low scores further dented CSK’s hopes. Even the arrival of the legendary MS Dhoni couldn’t turn the tide, as CSK finished their innings at 158/5, falling short by 25 runs.
DC’s bowling attack was led by a disciplined performance from Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mukesh Kumar, who kept the pressure on the CSK batsmen throughout the innings. Captain Axar Patel’s strategic decisions played a pivotal role in maintaining the team’s momentum and securing the victory.
This historic win not only signifies the end of DC’s long-standing struggle at Chepauk but also highlights their transformation into a formidable force in the IPL 2025. As for CSK, this defeat marks their third consecutive loss, raising concerns about their form and position in the tournament standings.