RR vs CSK Highlights | RR Clinch First Win with 6-Run Thriller | RR vs CSK | IPL 2025

Rajasthan Royals Edge Past CSK in Guwahati Thriller to Register First Win

Rajasthan Royals clinched their first win of IPL 2025 with a thrilling 6-run victory over Chennai Super Kings at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. Riyan Parag’s side posted 182/9 with strong contributions across the top order, while Wanindu Hasaranga’s four-wicket haul turned the tide in their favour. Despite a valiant fightback led by Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja, CSK fell just short. The Royals held their nerve in the final overs to open their account in the tournament.

Scorecard

RR 182/9 (20 overs) – Riyan Parag 37, Nitish Rana 81, Pathirana 2/28
CSK 176/6 (20 overs) – Gaikwad 63, Hasaranga 4/35

Result: Rajasthan Royals won by 6 runs

The Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings clash in IPL 2025 delivered every ounce of drama one would expect from two seasoned IPL giants. In the end, it was Rajasthan Royals, under the new leadership of Riyan Parag, who pulled off a narrow 6-run win at their adopted home in Guwahati. This victory, their first of the season, breathed fresh life into a campaign that had gotten off to a rocky start.

Parag’s calm captaincy, coupled with tactical bowling changes and standout spells from Wanindu Hasaranga, proved to be the difference on a night where both teams struggled with middle-overs consistency. It was also a contest that threw up big questions for Chennai, especially around their batting flexibility and bowling plans.

Rajasthan Royals Build Around Firepower, Fall Just Short of Perfect Finish

Put in to bat first, RR’s innings had its ups and downs. Yashasvi Jaiswal started with a flurry but was dismissed early by Khaleel Ahmed for just 4. Sanju Samson and Nitish Rana steadied the innings with a quick 82-run partnership, with Rana being particularly explosive, smashing 81 off just 36 balls. His knock gave Rajasthan their mid-innings boost and tilted momentum their way.

The RR innings saw a string of quick dismissals through the middle, but crucial runs from Riyan Parag (37) and a late cameo from Maheesh Theekshana (24*) ensured they reached a competitive 182 despite collapsing from 166/5 to 176/9 in quick time. Matheesha Pathirana was effective for CSK with his yorkers, bagging two important wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin choked the flow with disciplined spells.

Hasaranga Wrecks CSK Middle Order with Match-Winning Spell

The story of the second innings revolved largely around Wanindu Hasaranga’s four-wicket haul. Introduced during a crucial phase, the Sri Lankan leg-spinner wreaked havoc by removing Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. His tight lines, variations in pace, and clever use of the crease made scoring difficult and led to a stunning CSK collapse after they looked comfortably placed at 92/3 in the 12th over.

CSK had started poorly, losing Rachin Ravindra for a duck in the first over to Jofra Archer. But Ruturaj Gaikwad led the fightback with a composed 63 off 44 balls, showcasing why he remains one of the most consistent batters in the format. However, once he departed, the onus fell on Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni to produce some late fireworks.

Jadeja-Dhoni Finish Not Enough in Tight Chase

Chennai’s lower order kept the contest alive till the very end. Jadeja played a cameo, scoring 32 off 22, while Dhoni, who walked in at No. 7, chipped in with 16 off 11, even hitting a couple of boundaries to keep the crowd buzzing. But the Royals’ bowlers particularly Sandeep Sharma and Tushar Deshpande executed their yorkers well in the final overs, keeping the batsmen in check.

CSK needed 13 off the final over, but Jofra Archer’s pace and accuracy ensured they could only manage 6, as Rajasthan Royals won by 6 runs, successfully defending a total in Guwahati, where they had previously lost four out of five games since 2023.

RR Get Their Season Back on Track

This victory couldn't have come at a better time for Rajasthan Royals. With two consecutive defeats to open their season, questions had started to surface around combinations, leadership, and finishing ability. But Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings proved that this team, even without Sanju Samson behind the stumps, has the composure and depth to go all the way.

Parag’s captaincy was proactive his trust in Hasaranga and use of Sandeep Sharma in the slog overs were signs of a young leader learning fast. Also, RR's win was built on contributions across departments top-order runs, middle-overs wickets, and tight death bowling.

CSK's Misfiring Middle and Tactical Dilemma

For CSK, the problem wasn’t just the loss, but the pattern. Despite a well-set Gaikwad and promising starts, they’ve now fallen short twice while chasing totals close to or above 175 echoing a worrying trend. Their team composition is still in flux, with the likes of Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, and Rachin Ravindra not yet firing collectively.

Moreover, MS Dhoni’s decision to bat as low as No. 7 continues to puzzle fans and analysts alike. Given his ability to accelerate, especially against pace, his delayed entry left little time to impact the result. The bowling unit, while decent, lacked the penetration needed to stop momentum in the middle overs.