Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Sanju Samson (IPL Photo)
NEW DELHI: For a moment, it seemed like a familiar script was unfolding for Rajasthan Royals (RR). At the end of 13 overs, they were cruising at 134 for 1, needing just 54 runs off 42 balls. However, Ravichandran Ashwin turned the tide with a double-wicket over, first removing the well-set Sanju Samson (41 off 31 balls; 3×4, 2×6) to break the 98-run second-wicket stand, and then, three balls later, dismissing Vaibhav Suryavanshi (57 off 33 balls; 4×4, 4×6). A collapse looked imminent for the Royals.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!But Dhruv Jurel (31* off 12 balls; 2×4, 3×6) emerged as a man on a mission. Unlike two days ago in Jaipur, where he couldn’t finish the job, Jurel signed off Rajasthan’s IPL 2025 season with a commanding victory, sealing it with a six. Rajasthan Royals ended their forgettable season on a high note, securing a thumping six-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with 17 balls to spare, thanks to a brilliant bowling performance followed by an assaulting batting display. This win helped them edge past CSK and finish ninth in the points table.Who’s that IPL player?Job well doneChasing 188, Royals openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (36 off 19 balls; 5×4, 2×6) came down on the Chennai bowlers like a ton of bricks. He got a reprieve on the first ball after MS Dhoni dropped a tough chance down the leg side. Just as Arshdeep Singh was targeted on Sunday, today it was Khaleel Ahmed whom Jaiswal took to the cleaners, hitting three fours and a six. The Rajasthan opener attacked from ball one, sparing none, and looked in an absolute hurry before his U-19 teammate Anshul Kamboj castled him.Highlights: CSK vs RR, IPL 2025The aggression was continued by Jaiswal’s partner Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who hit the CSK bowlers through the line with utmost disdain. Suryavanshi picked up where Jaiswal left off, hitting 4 fours and as many sixes to register his first half-century in the IPL, after he had smoked a quickfire century against Gujarat Titans earlier in the season. Captain Sanju Samson’s knock was also belligerent, but the spotlight had already been taken by Suryavanshi.His turbocharged innings ensured the Rajasthan side was on the cusp of victory.Samson played second fiddle to the youngster, picking up loose deliveries for his boundaries. He eventually fell charging against R Ashwin in the 14th over, but not before scoring 41 runs in 31 deliveries. Jurel then produced a masterclass batting at number 5, hitting 2 fours and 3 biggies, and finished the game emphatically.
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Same old CSKOn the eve of the match, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming maintained that the franchise would stick with their old formula of backing experienced campaigners, as it has helped them win five titles. “I don’t care how old the players are. I do like the experience though. The experience has served us really well over the proud years that we’ve had,” Fleming had said.On Tuesday, Fleming’s words seemed to backfire as their seasoned pros again failed to deliver. It was the young guns, Ayush Mhatre (43 off 20 balls; 8×4, 1×6) and Dewald Brevis (42 off 25 balls, 2×4, 3×6), who helped them reach 187/8. The duo again highlighted how the T20 game has evolved and why CSK’s reluctance to let go of old ways has cost them dearly repeatedly this season. While most franchises are looking to inject the fearlessness of youth into their setup, CSK has stuck with their tried-and-tested formula.Shaky startAfter being asked to bat, CSK’s innings began shakily. Devon Conway (10) departed early, followed by Urvil Patel on a silver duck in the same over, both falling to Yudhvir Singh. Ravichandran Ashwin, promoted to No. 4, and 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre steadied the ship and put together a 56-run partnership for the third wicket, with Mhatre providing much-needed impetus.Mhatre and Ashwin pummeled Yudhvir for 24 runs in his second over, with the batters hitting one six and one boundary, respectively. Mhatre brought up CSK’s 50 in 4.5 overs with a boundary. Mhatre was not done, saving his best for his Mumbai teammate Tushar Deshpande, hitting a hat-trick of boundaries. Deshpande had the last laugh, though, with Kwena Mphaka taking a good low catch. Mhatre’s dismissal in the powerplay’s final over, swiftly followed by Ashwin (13) and Ravindra Jadeja (1), left CSK reeling at 78/5 in the eighth over.Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube took on the arduous task of rebuilding. Their 59-run stand did exactly what the doctor had ordered. Brevis hit some lusty blows before being dismissed for 42 by Akash Madhwal. CSK stand-in skipper MS Dhoni then walked in at number eight, aiming to provide the customary late flourish, but he failed to do so.Royals’ bowlers executed their plans to perfection in the final overs. They consistently nailed their yorkers, effectively drying up the boundaries and stifling CSK’s scoring rate. Dube (39) and Dhoni (16) both departed in the final over, as CSK managed a mere 17 runs in the last three overs, ultimately finishing on 187/8.Akash Madhwal (3/29) and Yudhvir Singh (3/47) were the standout performers for Rajasthan Royals, claiming three wickets each.
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