Delhi Capitals (DC) continued their stellar form in the IPL 2025 season, defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 25 runs in Match 17 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. This victory marked a historic moment for DC, as they ended a 15-year winless streak against CSK at Chepauk. KL Rahul played a pivotal role with a solid half-century, guiding his team to a competitive total of 158/5, which proved too much for the hosts to chase.
CSK, led by MS Dhoni in the absence of injured skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, struggled to find momentum in their chase. Despite Vijay Shankar’s valiant knock of 69 runs and Dhoni’s unbeaten contribution of 30 runs, the team fell short, managing only 143/6 in their allotted 20 overs. The defeat leaves CSK languishing near the bottom of the points table with just one win from four matches, while DC climbed to the top with their third consecutive victory.
Key Performances and Tactical Highlights
Batting first after winning the toss, DC faced initial challenges on a slow Chepauk surface but managed to post a competitive total thanks to KL Rahul’s composed innings. His 50 was supported by contributions from Faf du Plessis and Axar Patel, ensuring DC had enough runs on the board to put pressure on CSK. Mitchell Starc also played a crucial role with his late-order hitting, adding valuable runs in the death overs.
Chasing 159, CSK’s innings lacked rhythm as their top order failed to fire against DC’s disciplined bowling attack. Noor Ahmad and Kuldeep Yadav were particularly effective, exploiting the spin-friendly conditions to restrict scoring opportunities. Vijay Shankar’s knock brought some hope for the home side, but his dismissal in the penultimate over sealed their fate.
Mitchell Starc was once again instrumental for DC, claiming key wickets and maintaining pressure throughout his spell. Kuldeep Yadav’s economical bowling (1/25) complemented Starc’s aggression, while Axar Patel provided crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs.
MS Dhoni’s return as captain brought tactical depth to CSK’s approach but couldn’t compensate for their batting frailties. On the other hand, Axar Patel led DC with precision, executing bowling changes effectively and maintaining fielding intensity throughout the match.
Conclusion
The Delhi Capitals’ victory not only solidifies their position at the top of the IPL points table but also highlights their transformation into a formidable unit this season. With KL Rahul anchoring their batting and Mitchell Starc leading an impressive bowling attack, DC appear well-equipped to challenge for the title.
