IPL 2025: Spinners Set the Stage as Dhoni and Dube Guide CSK to Narrow Win Over LSG

Chennai Super Kings ended their five-match losing streak in the IPL 2025 and brought Lucknow Super Giants’ three-game winning run to a halt with a nail-biting victory at the Ekana Stadium. The spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad laid the groundwork by stifling LSG in the middle overs, paving the way for an unbeaten 57-run partnership between Shivam Dube (43* off 37) and MS Dhoni (26* off 11) that sealed the 166-run chase with three deliveries remaining.

This was one of those rare occasions where the toss proved pivotal. Batting first, LSG managed just 42 runs in the PowerPlay, losing two wickets in the process. In contrast, CSK made a strong start to their chase, racing to 59/1 in the first six overs with a brisk run rate of 9.83. The difference in early momentum was stark, with CSK smashing 11 boundaries in the PowerPlay compared to LSG’s 5 fours and 2 sixes. A major contributor to that strong start was debutant Shaik Rasheed, who impressed with six crisp boundaries to set the tone for the chase.

Disciplined PowerPlay Sets the Tone for CSK’s Revival

Khaleel Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj played pivotal roles in neutralizing LSG’s big-hitters, giving Chennai Super Kings the early momentum they were desperate for. After electing to field, CSK struck early as Rahul Tripathi set the tone with a stunning running catch to remove Aiden Markram in the very first over—Khaleel’s fourth PowerPlay wicket of the season.

MS Dhoni relied on just two pacers during the initial phase, a decision that paid off on a surface offering tennis-ball bounce. Anshul Kamboj landed a key blow by trapping Nicholas Pooran LBW with a full delivery, confirmed via a successful DRS. Though Mitchell Marsh provided some resistance with a couple of sixes, LSG’s scoring remained in check thanks to CSK’s controlled and calculated bowling in the PowerPlay.

Jadeja Finds His Mojo, Noor Applies the Squeeze

Chennai Super Kings made a bold decision by dropping R. Ashwin, backing Ravindra Jadeja to step up despite his recent dip in form—and the veteran spinner delivered when it mattered. After a shaky start that saw him concede 14 runs in his first seven deliveries, Jadeja bounced back in style, beginning with the crucial wicket of Mitchell Marsh, castled by a quick, skiddy delivery.

Ayush Badoni threatened to shift momentum with two towering sixes off Jamie Overton and survived a bizarre sequence involving a no-ball dismissal and an overturned LBW decision. But his streak of fortune ended when Jadeja cleverly dragged his length wider, drawing Badoni out for a stumping.

At the other end, Noor Ahmad played the perfect supporting role, bowling a tight spell of 3-0-10-0, choking the flow of runs and building pressure that helped CSK dominate the middle overs.

Pant’s Gritty Fifty Keeps LSG in the Hunt

Rishabh Pant’s innings was a blend of struggle and spark, offering Lucknow Super Giants a glimmer of hope in an otherwise challenging outing. Walking in during the PowerPlay, Pant got off to a brisk start with 28 off 15 deliveries before a dropped catch by MS Dhoni off Noor Ahmad gave him a lifeline.

Ahmad, however, responded brilliantly, tying Pant down with six consecutive dot balls and conceding just six runs off the 15 deliveries he bowled to him. The pressure slowed Pant’s tempo, and he laboured to 38 off 38 balls. But with the return of pace came a shift in gears—Pant smashed two sixes off Matheesha Pathirana and added another off Khaleel Ahmed in the penultimate over.

He eventually fell in the final over for a hard-fought 63 off 49 balls—his second-slowest IPL fifty—but his late surge helped push LSG to a fighting total.

Shaik Rasheed Shines on IPL Debut with Stylish Start

CSK once again went without a six in the PowerPlay, but it hardly mattered as they dominated the early overs with 11 boundaries—six of them coming from the bat of debutant Shaik Rasheed. Despite a nervy start against Akash Deep, Rasheed quickly found his rhythm, dispatching the pacer for three fours in one over and following it up with two more against Shardul Thakur as CSK raced to 37 in just three overs.

What stood out was Rasheed’s elegant strokeplay, especially his high-elbow flicks through the leg side that oozed class. Though his innings ended with a mistimed pull off a slower short ball from Avesh Khan, the 19-year-old left an immediate impression with his composed and confident knock. Meanwhile, Rachin Ravindra provided steady support at the other end, accelerating to a brisk 25 off 13 balls.

Bishnoi Leads Spin Squeeze as LSG Claw Back Control

Ravi Bishnoi, often overshadowed by Digvesh Rathi this season, emerged as LSG’s frontline spinner just when the team needed a breakthrough. His impact could’ve been immediate had Abdul Samad held onto a straightforward catch at long-on to dismiss Rahul Tripathi in Bishnoi’s opening over. Still, the momentum shifted soon after thanks to a smart bowling change by Rishabh Pant.

Introducing part-time offspinner Aiden Markram proved to be a masterstroke, as he trapped Rachin Ravindra LBW attempting a sweep. Bishnoi didn’t have to wait long to make his mark either—he claimed Tripathi with a sharp return catch and then outwitted Ravindra Jadeja with a slower, loopy delivery that led to a mistimed shot straight to long-on.

The spin stranglehold tightened as CSK’s promoted batting order faltered. Markram bowled his full quota, finishing with tidy figures of 1/25, while Rathi chipped in with the wicket of Vijay Shankar, ending with 1/23. Their combined effort left CSK needing 56 from the final five overs, setting up a tense finish.

Dhoni-Dube Duo Seal the Deal in Style

With the game hanging in the balance, MS Dhoni and Shivam Dube showcased nerves of steel to guide CSK home in a tense finish. Avesh Khan delivered a largely economical 16th over, but Dhoni found the fence twice off the last two balls—the second a thick edge racing past the keeper—to shift momentum.

LSG opted for a ball change and turned to Shardul Thakur, but the decision backfired. Thakur conceded 13 runs in the 17th over, including a ferocious forehand drive from Dhoni through extra cover. That left CSK needing 31 off the last three overs.

Rishabh Pant gambled by holding back Bishnoi’s final over and stuck with Avesh, who bowled another tight spell despite conceding an edged four to Dhoni. Only seven runs came off the 18th, keeping LSG slightly afloat.

But Thakur couldn’t hold his nerve in the penultimate over. The dew-soaked ball hampered his execution, and his attempted wide yorkers missed their mark. Dube capitalised, gliding one for four and launching a no-ball full toss over the ropes. Dhoni then added to the damage with a boundary off another waist-high delivery, reducing the target to just five runs from the final over—an equation CSK comfortably completed.

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