Chennai Super Kings (CSK) launched their IPL 2025 campaign in emphatic fashion, overcoming arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) by four wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, thanks to Noor Ahmad’s sensational four-wicket haul and a fluent fifty from captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Afghanistan’s 19-year-old mystery spinner Noor Ahmad made an instant impact in his debut for CSK, returning figures of 4/18, while Mumbai struggled to post a modest 155/9.
In response, Gaikwad’s commanding 53 off 26 deliveries set the tempo before Rachin Ravindra’s unbeaten 65 off 45 balls sealed the victory with five balls to spare.
Mumbai’s innings was unsettled early, as CSK pacer Khaleel Ahmed (3/29) removed both openers, Rohit Sharma (0 off 4) and Ryan Rickelton (13 off 7), inside the powerplay.
Rohit’s brief stay ended tamely as he flicked straight to Shivam Dube at mid-wicket, while Rickelton, making his first appearance for MI, chopped a delivery onto his stumps.
Ravichandran Ashwin, returning to CSK colours after a decade, made an immediate impact, dismissing Will Jacks in his first over as the English batter mistimed a drive to Dube at mid-off.
Suryakumar Yadav (29 off 26) and Tilak Varma (31 off 25) attempted to stabilise the innings, forging a 51-run partnership.
However, MS Dhoni’s lightning-quick stumping off Ahmad ended Suryakumar’s promising stay, as the Mumbai Indians' stand-in skipper failed to ground his bat in time.
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Suryakumar was leading MI in the absence of Hardik Pandya, who was sidelined due to an over-rate ban imposed last season.
The Afghan spinner then rattled Mumbai’s middle order in successive overs. He first dismissed Robin Minz, followed by trapping Varma leg-before with a well-disguised googly.
Ahmad’s fourth wicket came when Naman Dhir misjudged a delivery and was bowled playing around his stumps.
Deepak Chahar, who switched allegiance from CSK to MI this season, provided late resistance, scoring an unbeaten 28 off 15 balls to push Mumbai’s total past 150.
Chennai’s pursuit began positively, though Gaikwad’s decision to bat at No. 3 instead of his customary opening role raised eyebrows.
Nevertheless, the CSK skipper displayed impeccable timing, smashing eight boundaries in his brisk 53-run innings before falling victim to IPL debutant Vignesh Puthur (3/32), a relatively unknown left-arm spinner from Kerala.
Puthur’s introduction momentarily disrupted CSK’s momentum as he also accounted for Shivam Dube and Deepak Hooda in quick succession.
However, Ravindra took control, anchoring the innings with a composed 65 not out, ensuring there were no further stumbles.
The packed stadium erupted in a deafening roar when MS Dhoni walked out with CSK needing just four runs for victory, but it was Ravindra who sealed the contest in style, dispatching a full-length delivery over mid-wicket for six.
With this result, Mumbai Indians’ record of failing to win their IPL opener since 2012 remains intact, while Chennai Super Kings celebrated a triumphant start to their campaign.
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