CSK vs DC First Innings: Delhi Capitals Post Competitive 183/6 in Chennai Amid KL Rahul Masterclass

CSK vs DC First Innings: In a high-stakes afternoon clash at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, the Delhi Capitals (DC) set a challenging target of 184 runs against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 17 of IPL 2025. Led by KL Rahul’s commanding 77-run knock and late fireworks from Tristan Stubbs, DC capitalized on a mixed bowling performance from CSK, who now face an uphill battle to revive their faltering campaign. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the first innings.

Toss and Early Setback

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DC captain Axar Patel won the toss and elected to bat first, banking on the Chepauk pitch’s historical tendency to slow down in the second innings. However, the start was far from ideal for Delhi. Jake Fraser-McGurk, the explosive Australian opener, fell for a golden duck to Khaleel Ahmed in the first over. Fraser-McGurk attempted a leg-side heave off a length ball but mistimed it, allowing Ravichandran Ashwin to complete a diving catch at mid-on.

This early dismissal brought Abhishek Porel to the crease, who partnered with KL Rahul to stabilize the innings. The duo navigated CSK’s powerplay attack, which has been the weakest in the tournament (economy rate of 10.22), but Khaleel’s swing and accuracy kept the scoring in check initially.

Porel’s Counterattack and Middle-Order Stumble

Porel, known for his aggressive intent, shifted gears after the powerplay, smashing 33 off 24 balls. His innings included a six off Mukesh Choudhary and a ramp shot for four, injecting momentum into DC’s innings. However, his dismissal in the 7th over, caught by Matheesha Pathirana off Ravindra Jadeja’s spin, halted DC’s progress momentarily.

Captain Axar Patel (21 off 15) then joined Rahul, but his stay was cut short by Noor Ahmad, the Afghan wrist-spinner who has been CSK’s standout bowler this season. Noor, with 9 wickets in three games prior to this match, trapped Axar lbw with a googly, leaving DC at 90/3 in the 11th over.

KL Rahul’s Anchor Role and Milestone

KL Rahul, promoted to open after Faf du Plessis’ demotion, played a masterful innings. He rotated strike efficiently and targeted CSK’s spinners, particularly Ravindra Jadeja, whom he swept and drove with precision. His 38th IPL fifty came off 39 balls, a milestone marked by a subdued celebration amid Chennai’s scorching heat.

Rahul’s partnership with Sameer Rizvi (20 off 14) added 56 runs, with Rizvi showcasing his power-hitting before falling to Khaleel Ahmed’s slower ball in the 16th over. Rahul himself perished in the 20th over, holing out to deep mid-wicket off Pathirana’s yorker, but not before anchoring DC to a competitive total.

CSK vs DC Playing XI, Toss Update and Match Preview

Stubbs’ Late Surge and CSK’s Death Bowling Woes

The final flourish came from Tristan Stubbs, who blazed 24* off 12 balls, including a six and two fours in the penultimate over bowled by Pathirana. His aggression, coupled with Ashutosh Sharma’s unfortunate run-out, propelled DC to 183/6—a total that seemed improbable after early setbacks.

CSK’s death bowling, however, raised concerns. Despite Khaleel’s 2/32 and Noor’s economical 1/25, Matheesha Pathirana leaked 45 runs in four overs, including 19 in the final two. The lack of support from Jamie Overton (0/35) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/30) further dented CSK’s efforts.

Pitch and Conditions

The Chepauk surface, a subject of pre-match debate, played surprisingly balanced. While spinners extracted moderate turn, pacers found bounce, with Khaleel exploiting early swing. The dry pitch slowed slightly in the latter half, but Stubbs’ power-hitting demonstrated that runs were still on offer for set batters.

Key Performances and Stats

KL Rahul (77 off 55): Became the fastest Indian to 5,000 T20 runs (143 innings) and solidified his reputation as a big-match player.
Khaleel Ahmed (2/32): Continued his stellar form, dismissing Fraser-McGurk and Rizvi with clever variations.
Tristan Stubbs (24* off 12): Strike rate of 200 underscored his value as a finisher.
Noor Ahmad (1/25): Maintained his status as CSK’s leading wicket-taker, outfoxing Axar Patel.

CSK’s Chase Equation

CSK’s batting lineup, plagued by poor form (run rate of 7.27 in powerplays), faces a stern test against DC’s spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Vipraj Nigam. With Ruturaj Gaikwad recovering from an injury and MS Dhoni yet to fire this season, the onus falls on Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja to accelerate in the middle overs.

Conclusion

DC’s total of 183/6 reflects their adaptability on a tricky surface and sets the stage for a thrilling chase. While KL Rahul’s class and Stubbs’ aggression stood out, CSK’s bowlers will rue missed opportunities. As the sun sets over Chepauk, all eyes turn to CSK’s reply—will they overcome their batting woes, or will DC’s spinners tighten their grip on the playoffs race?

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