DC vs CSK, 17th Match at Chennai, IPL, Apr 05 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

Another day in CSK's recent history which will be remembered for what they couldn't do rather than what they could. They seem to be clueless regarding their batting, and clearly lacking in the intent and execution that made them what they are today - multiple-time IPL champions. We keep hoping and waiting, and the big overs with the bat - and the victory - hardly comes these days. This loss against DC has put them at No. 8 on the points table. But credit to Rahul and DC's middle order for setting the game up, before DC's bowlers combined to hand them their third successive win. Anyway, the action isn't over on this Saturday. PBKS vs RR is on in New Chandigarh, so jump there right away for further action. Until tomorrow, see you, and take care!

KL Rahul is the Player of the Match: "It's just how it's been! I am quite used to it. I was personally prepping to play at the top of the order before the IPL started. I had a chat with the coach, and he said he wanted me to bat at No. 4 because we had a player who didn't turn up. I was happy that I got the opportunity today at the top of the order. It's more mental, and the pattern and process of getting in. Just getting used to walking in at a particular stage. I like to get used to doing the same thing. Since I've been going up and down the order, it takes me a few minutes to get used to it. That's something I've been working on - to not take those two or three balls. I started off really well, but through the middle, it was a bit scratchy. Those quick 20-25 runs [from Porel] set up the game. It really sets you up. I had a couple of partnerships like that with Axar and Abishek Porel. I hit a few boundaries early on in the powerplay, and kept losing wickets at the wrong time when I wanted to go. Towards the end, the weather and the heat got to me; I got cooked."

Axar Patel, DC captain: "It's great to win three in a row. We want to have an impact - whether big or small. That's the plan, and it has been successful so far. I was saving myself [and hence bowled only one over], as I have injured my finger! Everything is running nicely. But as a captain, I'll say that we're doing well in the field, but also dropping catches. The momentum can shift any time."

Time for the presentations

Mitchell Starc: "Can't be more happy with that. A pretty good performance again today. The whole batting adjusted to conditions really well... our spinners and bowling unit were fantastic throughout. Everyone adjusted to conditions really well - with the bat and ball. All bowlers adjusted really well. Everyone knows it's coming [the yorker]! You can adjust, and try and stay little bit ahead."

Ruturaj Gaikwad: "Not today, since the last three games, it's not really going our way. We're trying our level best in all three departments. I think powerplay is definitely a concern for us - in batting and bowling department. We've spotted that since the second game. We're trying but it's just not happening. I just think that we are over concerned or tentative about who's coming on to bowl in the powerplay... we're losing a wicket in the first or second over. We're just over concerned about things in the powerplay. Everyone needs to come together. We need to make those things happen. Since the powerplay, we were always playing a catch-up game. We had Ash at No. 8, and we didn't have Overton. The plan was to take it as deep as possible. DC bowled really well. Even when Shivam was batting, we were looking for momentum but we just couldn't get it."

7.12pm DC beat CSK in Chennai after 15 years. So long ago that it was only the third edition of the IPL, and CSK had won neither of the first two. So long ago that millions trusted Dhoni to pull the impossible off. But 15 years on, Dhoni and CSK seem to be a shadow of themselves. Their chase of 184 was never on tonight. Perhaps Chepauk isn't Chepauk anymore for CSK. RCB beat CSK here this season after 17 years, and as if that was not enough, DC have now beaten them too. Hang around for the presentation formalities even as CSK fans rue another loss.

Three sixes from Dhoni, maybe?

Tell you what, even Rajnikanth might not get the 41 runs required off the final over.

Around the wicket

Starc returns

Thamizhachi: "17.4 - 25 balls too late!"

Rakesh: "Ah!! MSD is taking it deep and will do the impossible in the last 12 balls I guess" --- Exactly what the fans hope for/expect in every game

Mukesh back into the attack