The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) achieved a crucial victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the third match of the IPL 2025 season, held on March 23, 2025, at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This match not only showcased excellent cricketing skills but also highlighted the remarkable reflexes of veteran wicketkeeper MS Dhoni.
After winning the toss, CSK opted to bowl first, a decision that would pave the way for their strategic dominance throughout the game. The Mumbai Indians faced a tough challenge right from the start, losing their captain Rohit Sharma for a duck on the fourth ball of the innings, bowled by Khaleel Ahmed. Following Sharma's dismissal, Ryan Rickelton managed a brief 13 runs before also falling to Ahmed.
The Mumbai batting order struggled against CSK's disciplined bowling attack, which featured crafty performances from Khaleel Ahmed and R Ashwin. Ashwin dismissed the aggressive Will Jacks for just 7 runs, placing additional pressure on the MI lineup.
However, it was the 11th over that introduced a moment of brilliance from MS Dhoni, as he executed a stunning stumping to dismiss Suryakumar Yadav. Facing Noor Ahmad, Yadav mispaced a googly, attempting to drive the turning ball but missing entirely. Dhoni, always quick on his feet, removed the bails with exceptional speed, with his reaction time recorded at just 0.12 seconds. Although the umpire consulted the TV umpire, Suryakumar, knowing he was out, headed back to the dugout as the decision was confirmed.
Despite the early wickets, MI managed to stabilize their innings thanks to a partnership between Yadav and Tilak Varma, putting together 66 runs. However, the fall of Yadav's wicket marked a turning point, shifting momentum firmly toward CSK.
The Mumbai Indians were ultimately able to post a total of 156 runs by the end of their innings, largely thanks to contributions from Tilak Varma. CSK’s bowlers put up a fierce fight throughout the innings, with Noor Ahmad leading the charge with an impressive four wickets to his name, while Khaleel Ahmed supported with three crucial strikes.
When it came time for CSK to chase down the target, they faced an initial setback as Rahul Tripathi was dismissed for just two runs. Rachin Ravindra, however, proved to be the backbone of the CSK innings, scoring a stellar 65 runs not out off 45 balls. Alongside him, Ruturaj Gaikwad contributed strongly, adding 53 runs from just 26 deliveries.
CSK finished the match successfully, reaching a total of 159 runs for the loss of four wickets, thereby overcoming MI by four wickets. This victory marked an auspicious start for CSK in the IPL 2025 season, as they aim to regain their previous glory.
Overall, Dhoni’s stumping of Suryakumar Yadav not only underscored his agility behind the stumps but also served as a testament to the level of excitement and competitiveness that the IPL continues to provide. With this win, CSK hopes to carry the momentum forward into their forthcoming matches, while MI will be keen to regroup and strategize for their next challenge ahead.
