IPL 2025: Harshal Patel’s Pace Masterclass Crushes CSK in MS Dhoni’s 400th T20 Match
NEW DELHI: What was meant to be a night of celebration for MS Dhoni marking his 400th T20 appearance turned into a nightmare for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) unleashed a devastating pace attack to secure a commanding 5-wicket victory at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.
The spotlight was stolen by SRH’s veteran seamer Harshal Patel, who delivered a match-defining performance with figures of 4/28. His clever variations and composure under pressure dismantled CSK’s batting lineup, restricting them to 154 while chasing SRH’s modest total of 149/5. On a pitch offering little pace or bounce, Harshal’s ability to mix up his lengths and outsmart the batsmen was the game-changer.
SRH’s bowling unit was relentless, with Pat Cummins (2/21), Mohammed Shami (1/28), and Jaydev Unadkat (2/21) complementing Harshal’s heroics. Even all-rounder Kamindu Mendis (1/26) chipped in, ensuring CSK never found a foothold in their chase. The pressure was evident from the first ball when young opener Shaik Rasheed was dismissed for a duck, setting the tone for a dramatic collapse.
Harshal struck crucial blows by removing Sam Curran and the explosive Dewald Brevis (42 off 25), who had briefly threatened to turn the game with his aggressive strokeplay. The defining moment came when Harshal dismissed the legendary MS Dhoni for just 1, caught at point, silencing the roaring Chepauk crowd and tilting the match decisively in SRH’s favor.
Despite flashes of brilliance from Ayush Mhatre (30 off 19) alongside Brevis, CSK lost wickets at alarming intervals, unable to build partnerships to chase down the target. Their hopes of honoring Dhoni’s milestone with a victory faded under the relentless pressure of SRH’s pace battery.
In reply, SRH chased down the 155-run target with 8 balls to spare, thanks to a composed 44 from Ishan Kishan at the top and a late flourish by Kamindu Mendis (32* off 18). Contributions from Travis Head (19) and a brief cameo by Heinrich Klaasen (7) kept the scoreboard ticking. CSK’s bowlers, notably Noor Ahmad (2/22) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/16), fought hard to defend the low total, but SRH’s calculated aggression sealed the deal.
For Chennai fans, the night was bittersweet. While they celebrated Dhoni’s historic milestone—becoming only the second Indian after Rohit Sharma to play 400 T20 matches—the team’s performance left much to be desired. SRH, on the other hand, showcased their title-contending credentials with a clinical display of pace bowling, led by the indomitable Harshal Patel.
As the IPL 2025 season heats up, this match will be remembered as a stark reminder of SRH’s bowling depth and CSK’s vulnerability under pressure. For Dhoni, the milestone was personal, but the result was a collective disappointment at the fortress of Chepauk.