After a disheartening run of five consecutive losses, Chennai Super Kings finally found relief with a crucial win over Delhi Capitals. It wasn’t just about the two points—it was about pride, momentum, and rekindling the belief that this season isn’t lost yet. Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni led CSK to a successful chase and while they’re still at the bottom of the Tata IPL 2025 points table, they’ve now caught up with three other teams on four points—signaling that the playoff race is still wide open. Stream all IPL action and place your predictions on Winexch—your ultimate destination for live cricket and smart betting.

Should Pant Have Bowled Bishnoi?

One of the key tactical questions from the game was whether Rishabh Pant missed a trick by not bowling Ravi Bishnoi. The leggie, known for his attacking mindset and control, could have been handy, especially when CSK were building a recovery phase. Pant admitted he considered using Bishnoi but opted against it after consulting teammates:

“There was a lot of time I thought about bowling Bishnoi but I discussed with other players and thought let's take it deeper,” said Pant after the game.

Pant also acknowledged that Delhi were at least 10-15 runs short with the bat. Despite the surface being slightly slow, the Capitals lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to stitch together partnerships.

“We kept losing wickets, whenever momentum was there, we lost wickets. The wicket was nice to bat on, stopping a bit, we could’ve pushed for ten more runs,” he added.

With the bat, Pant is slowly regaining his form and rhythm, but he’ll need his side to put in more complete performances soon if they are to stay in contention.

CSK Still Breathing: The Dube-Dhoni Show

For CSK, this game was more than just two points—it was a morale booster. Shivam Dube, who anchored the chase, spoke about the emotional weight of this win:

“This means a lot, losing five in a row, that’s not CSK. Today was very important. I just wanted to take the game deep and finish it. Once MS started hitting, my job became easier.”

Dube's composed innings ensured stability after CSK lost wickets in quick succession. His plan was simple—don’t panic, don’t overhit, and back himself to finish.

MS Dhoni, named Player of the Match for the first time in the IPL since 2019, showed glimpses of his vintage best. Finishing the match with typical flair, Dhoni’s presence not only tilted the momentum but also calmed the nerves in the CSK camp.

“Good to win a game. Unfortunately, the games haven’t gone our way so far. This gives the team a lot of confidence,” said Dhoni during the post-match presentation. “We struggled in the first six overs with the ball in earlier games, and maybe even the Chennai pitch wasn’t giving our batters the right confidence. We made some changes to add bowlers upfront, and it paid off.”

Dhoni’s Tactical Adjustments Paying Off

CSK’s revamped bowling attack brought balance to the side, especially during the powerplay, where they had been leaking runs. Dhoni mentioned the strain being placed on Ashwin to bowl inside the first six overs, and how reshuffling allowed better resource management.

One of the standout moments was the performance of Rasheed, who was promoted up the order. The young batter repaid the faith with a composed knock.

“He’s been around for a few years now, improving steadily. We saw his form in the nets and decided to give him a go. He’s capable of playing proper cricketing shots—unlike some of the flashy floaters out there,” Dhoni noted.

What This Means for the Points Table

Despite the win, CSK remain at the bottom of the table. However, this win levels them with Delhi, Mumbai, and Punjab—all tied on four points. The mid-table battle is heating up and with half the season still ahead, a playoff spot is not beyond reach.

Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants missed their chance to top the table and now remain in fourth place, highlighting just how tight this year’s IPL is shaping up to be.

Final Thoughts: Hope for CSK, Questions for DC

The big question now is—can CSK turn their season around? This win might just be the spark they needed. With Dhoni back in form, Dube playing the finisher’s role well, and Rasheed emerging as a reliable option, Chennai might finally be finding their rhythm.

For Delhi, the issue lies in the middle order and some tactical decisions under pressure. Pant’s captaincy will be under more scrutiny as the campaign progresses.

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