IPL 2025: Hasaranga’s brilliance powers Rajasthan to thrilling six-run win over Chennai

Wanindu Hasaranga’s brilliant spell helped Rajasthan Royals pull off a sensational six-run win over Chennai Super Kings in a thrilling IPL contest in Guwahati on Sunday. The victory gave Royals their first points in three matches, while Chennai suffered their second straight loss after winning their opening game.

Chasing 183, Chennai struggled to accelerate as Rajasthan’s bowlers kept their batters in check. The innings revolved around skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who balanced caution with aggression to keep the visitors in the hunt. However, his dismissal brought Mahendra Singh Dhoni to the crease, raising hopes of another trademark finish.

Hasaranga played a pivotal role, dismissing the dangerous Gaikwad, Rahul Tripathi, and Shivam Dube to finish with 4 for 35. Dhoni, alongside Ravindra Jadeja, kept Chennai in contention, but with 20 needed off the final over, Shimron Hetmyer’s stunning catch ended Dhoni’s innings. Jadeja and Jamie Overton fought till the end but fell short by six runs.

In the final analysis, Chennai’s fielding lapses proved costly—dropped catches and extra runs made the difference. In contrast, Rajasthan’s sharp fielding, highlighted by some stunning catches and crucial saves, kept the pressure on CSK throughout.

Put in to bat, Rajasthan rode on Nitish Rana’s dazzling 81, while skipper Riyan Parag contributed a valuable 37 to post 182 for 9 in 20 overs. After a blazing start—79 for 1 in six overs—Chennai’s bowlers, led by Noor Ahmed (2 for 28), tightened their grip after Sanju Samson’s dismissal. Ahmed’s performance also helped him reclaim the Purple Cap from Mitchell Starc.

Chennai’s struggles in high chases continue, as the Yellove have not successfully chased a 180-plus target since 2019.

Chennai have been denied any momentum. Just when Shivam Dube, who came in after Tripathi's dismissal, started showing his aggressive intentions, Riyan Parag pulled off a sensational catch to halt the charge.

After 11 overs, Chennai are 84 for 3, while Rajasthan were 99 for 2 after 10 overs. The ball appears to be gripping slightly, making stroke-making difficult. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad is playing a patient knock of 40 off 30 balls.

Chennai have withstood a fiery spell from England pacer Jofra Archer, who was at his best in his first spell, conceding just 13 runs in his opening three overs and taking the crucial wicket of Rachin Ravindra—his first of the season.

The Rajasthan bowlers had Chennai’s batters on a tight leash, but after a cautious start, Rahul Tripathi and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad have begun to open up, taking the visitors to 42 for 1 after six overs—well behind Rajasthan’s 79 for 1 at the same stage.

Nitish Rana's knock was the cornerstone of Rajasthan Royals’ innings. Apart from the left-hander, none of the other batters could dominate Chennai Super Kings' bowling as the Royals finished at 182 for 9 in 20 overs.

After a blazing start, scoring 79 for 1 in the first six overs, the Chennai bowlers tightened the screws once Sanju Samson was dismissed. Left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad continued to excel for CSK, finishing with figures of 2 for 28. His efforts saw him regain the Purple Cap from Mitchell Starc.

As the innings progressed, the scoring rate dipped. When Ravichandran Ashwin finally had the last laugh against Rana, the Royals’ innings collapsed. They lost their way in the second half, managing just 103 runs in the final 14 overs.

Rana had given the impression that he was batting on a different wicket, standing tall and mixing caution with aggression. His 81 came off just 36 balls. Captain Riyan Parag made useful contributions, but Rajasthan could have been in deeper trouble when Jamie Overton dropped a skier off Shimron Hetmyer, highlighting Chennai’s inconsistency. At times, their efforts were scintillating, but at other times, it was pedestrian.

Khaleel Ahmed and Matheesha Pathirana also claimed two wickets each.

Chennai are not only chasing a target of 183 but also chasing history, as they have not successfully chased a target of 180+ since 2019. With a good wicket on offer, they’ll fancy their chances to rewrite history.

Familiarity can be a double-edged sword. Having faced Ravichandran Ashwin regularly in the nets, Nitish Rana initially used that knowledge to his advantage, dispatching the veteran off-spinner to all parts of the ground.

But after dominating, he momentarily forgot just how cunning Ashwin can be. Stepping out too early, he was outfoxed as Ashwin deliberately bowled a wide, leading to a simple stumping.

That wicket triggered a mini-collapse, with the Royals losing two more wickets, including Wanindu Hasaranga, who fell to a stunning diving catch by Vijay Shankar. After 15 overs, Rajasthan are 145 for 5.

Chennai have managed to break the threatening partnership, dismissing the dangerous Sanju Samson. Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad induced a false shot, with Samson caught at long-off.

However, Nitish Rana continues to keep the Royals in the game, moving to 70, while skipper Riyan Parag is on 4. After 10 overs, Rajasthan are 99 for two, with the run rate slowing considerably following Samson’s departure.

Chennai Super Kings had a mixed start in the first six overs. They were delighted to see Yashasvi Jaiswal depart in the opening over, courtesy of Khaleel Ahmed. But Nitish Rana made them pay for their wayward bowling, propelling the Royals to 79 for one in six overs.

The left-hander was both brutal and cheeky, smashing 58 off just 22 balls. Sanju Samson, content to play second fiddle, remains unbeaten on 16 off 11 balls.

CSK have struggled with their powerplay bowling this season, a weakness that cost them against RCB in the previous game. This match seems to be following a similar pattern.

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and chose to bowl against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.

The CSK skipper is ready for the challenge, despite having played just two days ago in Chennai. But one thing remains constant—the sea of Yellow fans, who have turned up in numbers to support the Super Kings at the Royals’ second home.

Super Kings have made two changes to their lineup: Jamie Overton replaces Sam Curran, while Vijay Shankar comes in for Deepak Hooda.

Teams

Rajasthan Royals

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (capt), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma. Impact players: Kunal Singh Rathore, Shubham Dubey, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kumar Kartikeya, Yudhvir Singh.

Chennai Super Kings

Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni (wk), R Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana. Impact players: Shivam Dube, Mukesh Choudhary, Devon Conway, Shaik Rasheed, Sam Curran.