Mumbai Indians' captain Rohit Sharma faced a disappointing start to his IPL 2025 campaign, registering a duck in the highly anticipated match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on March 23, 2025. The usually aggressive opener struggled to contend with Khaleel Ahmed's precise line and length, resulting in his dismissal on the fourth delivery of the innings.
Ahmed's in-swinging delivery prompted Rohit to attempt a flick towards the boundary, but the shot only found Shivam Dube at mid-wicket. This was a significant moment, marking the third occasion in the IPL where Khaleel Ahmed had dismissed Rohit. With that dismissal, Rohit now shares an unwanted record of 18 ducks in IPL history alongside Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell.
Before the match, Sharma highlighted Mumbai Indians’ ongoing struggle with opening games, acknowledging their grim streak of 12 consecutive losses in their first IPL fixtures. He expressed his desire to change this pattern in the current season, stating, “We have been trying for many years to win the first match. We came close a few times but it hasn't happened in many years. The end goal matters more than the initial goal.”
Chennai Super Kings won the toss and chose to field first against the Mumbai team. Rohit was looking forward to the game, having just come off an impressive international season, including a Champions Trophy win. However, his IPL 2025 campaign began in disappointing fashion. In Rohit’s absence, Suryakumar Yadav captained the Mumbai Indians due to Hardik Pandya’s one-match suspension from the previous season for a slow over-rate violation.
Yadav addressed the media at the toss, saying, “I am good with batting first. We had a lovely camp back home, we were here 2-3 days before. Both are unbelievable franchises in terms of achievements. I am sure it will be a good game.”
With Rohit’s early departure, Mumbai Indians found themselves quickly under pressure. Khaleel Ahmed opened the attack for CSK and troubled the batters with his sharp deliveries. Rohit’s dismissal on just the fourth ball of the innings pushed Mumbai into stabilizing mode, as they had to rethink their strategy against a disciplined bowling attack.
Both sides featured several adjustments and debut appearances. Ryan Rickelton and Satyanarayana Raju made their maiden IPL appearances for Mumbai, while Will Jacks and Mitchell Santner took the field for MI after joining from other franchises. Their presence highlighted the ongoing transformations within the team as they aimed to revitalize their approach this season.
Just moments before Rohit’s dismissal, Khaleel had bowled a testing delivery that had Will Jacks beaten, showcasing his skill. Although Jacks managed to assert himself later by hitting a well-placed boundary, the pressure of losing their captain early weighed heavily on the entire lineup.
The match saw Rohit sharing his thoughts on the need for a fresh start, emphasizing that while initial games are critical, the final outcomes hold greater importance. Mumbai's hope to break the losing streak in opening matches seemed distant as they struggled against Chennai's formidable bowling, led by Ahmed.
As the match unfolded, fans were eager to see how the Mumbai Indians would respond after losing their captain so early. The history between CSK and MI as great rivals added to the spectacle, causing anticipation to soar. With CSK's strategy of bowling first paying off, the Mumbai team needed to dig deep and build a robust innings.
Khaleel’s achievement marked a new chapter in his rivalry with Sharma, as gaining his wicket a third time justified his position as a key bowler for CSK this season. Each player was aware of the stakes, with the IPL opener providing not only vital points but also an opportunity to set the tone for their campaigns.
With all eyes fixed on MI’s subsequent scores and the performances of debutants, the game brought out the gritty spirit of both teams. Returning to duty after the T20 World Cup, Rohit Sharma sought redemption, but the immediate outcome now depends on the collaborative resilience of his teammates and their ability to counter the challenges ahead.
The IPL 2025 season certainly promises more drama as teams gauge their strengths and navigate the ups and downs of the tournament, as illustrated by the events surrounding Mumbai Indians in this opening encounter against the Chennai Super Kings.
