Hasaranga’s 4-Wicket Haul and Rana’s Blazing 80 Power RR to a Memorable Win Over CSK

As the first week of IPL 2025 comes to an end, fans witnessed yet another thrilling contest, with Rajasthan Royals (RR) securing a narrow 6-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The match had everything with big-hitting, game-changing spells, and a nail-biting finish that went down to the final over.

Nitish Rana’s Fireworks Get RR to 182

After CSK won the toss and opted to field, Rajasthan Royals had a rocky start as Yashasvi Jaiswal (4 off 3 balls) fell in the very first over, caught off Khaleel Ahmed. However, Nitish Rana, batting at number three, turned the game around with an explosive innings. He played one of the best knocks of the tournament so far, smashing 81 runs off just 36 balls, including 10 boundaries and 5 sixes, at a staggering strike rate of 225.00. His aggressive stroke play ensured RR maintained a high run rate throughout the first 10 overs.

Captain Riyan Parag (37 off 28 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes) provided good support, keeping the scoreboard ticking. However, once Rana departed in the 12th over, CSK bowlers tightened their grip on the game. CSK’s bowlers, led by Noor Ahmad (4-0-28-2) and Matheesha Pathirana (4-0-28-2), pulled things back in the death overs. Khaleel Ahmed (4-0-38-2) also contributed, while Ravindra Jadeja (2-0-10-1) was the most economical bowler. RR, who looked set for a 200+ total, eventually finished at 182/9 in 20 overs as they lost the wickets in the middle over while trying to accelerate. 

Hasaranga’s Game-Changing Spell Makes CSK Suffer

Chasing 183, CSK had a disastrous start as Rachin Ravindra was dismissed for a duck by Jofra Archer in the very first over. Rahul Tripathi (23 off 19 balls) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (63 off 44 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) steadied the innings with a 46-run partnership. Gaikwad, playing the anchor role, looked in great touch, finding boundaries with ease.

However, just when it seemed like CSK had gained control, Wanindu Hasaranga produced a match-winning spell. He removed Tripathi, Gaikwad, Shivam Dube (18 off 10 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes), and Vijay Shankar (9 off 6 balls, 1 six) in quick succession. His figures of 4-0-35-4 changed the course of the game and left CSK struggling at 92/4 in the 12th over.

A Tense Finish in Guwahati

With CSK needing 91 runs in the last 8 overs, Ravindra Jadeja (32 off 22 balls, 2 fours, 1 six)* and MS Dhoni (16 off 11 balls, 1 four, 1 six) kept the fight alive. Dhoni rolled back the years, smashing a six over long-on to keep the crowd entertained. But with 20 needed off the last over, Sandeep Sharma (4-0-42-1) dismissed Dhoni, sealing the match for Rajasthan Royals.

Jamie Overton (11 off 4 balls, 1 six)* hit a late six, but it was too late as CSK finished at 176/6 in 20 overs, falling short by just 6 runs. With this hard-fought victory, Rajasthan Royals earned their first points of IPL 2025, while CSK suffered their second loss in three games. In the Points table, there have been a lot of ups and downs, as currently, the Chennai Super Kings team is at the 7th position in the points table while the Rajasthan Royals is at the 9th position. 

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

The 11th match of IPL 2025 between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was filled with thrilling moments that kept the fans on the edge of their seats. From Nitish Rana’s explosive 81-run knock to Wanindu Hasaranga’s four-wicket haul, and even MS Dhoni’s six in the run chase, the game had everything. However, the most breathtaking moment of the match came in the 10th over of CSK’s innings, when Riyan Parag pulled off a sensational catch to dismiss Shivam Dube.

At that stage, CSK was gaining momentum in their chase of 183 runs. Wanindu Hasaranga came into bowl, but Shivam Dube looked in destructive form. On the first two deliveries, Dube smashed a four and a six, putting Hasaranga under immense pressure. Sensing the situation, Hasaranga made a smart move as he tossed the ball up outside off-stump, angling it away from Dube. The CSK batter tried to play an inside-out shot but mistimed it, and the ball flew towards Riyan Parag at extra cover, and what happened next was pure magic.

Parag got himself forward to his right, stretching out his hand in an incredible dive. It was a close call, but he managed to get his right hand under the ball just in time. The third umpire reviewed the catch, and after a detailed check, the decision was made—OUT! This moment completely changed the game, as Dube was dismissed for 18 off 10 balls. The dismissal shifted the momentum back in RR’s favor, and they went on to win the match by 6 runs. 

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

While Nitish Rana’s explosive 81-run knock and Wanindu Hasaranga’s match-winning four-wicket haul were standout performances in the game, the TCNI Hero of the Day goes to Sandeep Sharma for his brilliant death bowling under immense pressure. Though Sandeep’s final figures read 4 overs, 42 runs, and 1 wicket, his contribution was far more valuable than the numbers suggest. He picked up the crucial wicket of MS Dhoni, dismissing him for 16 runs off 11 balls, at a time when CSK was still in the hunt for victory. 

His most defining moment came in the final over of the match, where Riyan Parag trusted him to defend 20 runs against two of the most experienced finishers like MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja. With Dhoni on strike, the pressure was immense, but Sandeep held his nerve and got Dhoni out, shifting the momentum in Rajasthan’s favor. He then restricted Jadeja from scoring big in the remaining deliveries, sealing a thrilling 6-run victory for Rajasthan Royals. Sandeep Sharma’s composure in the final over made all the difference, proving that T20 cricket is not just about wickets, but also about delivering in high-pressure moments.