IPL 2025: DC wins toss against CSK, decides to bat first
text_fields
KL Rahul stormed to his fifty in just 33 balls, keeping the Delhi Capitals on track for a competitive total against the Chennai Super Kings at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday. Delhi Capitals were 138/3 after 17 overs, with Rahul on 61 and Sameer Rizvi on 19. Earlier, in the 11th over, Noor Ahmed broke the partnership of Rahul and skipper Axar Patel.
Patel misjudged the googly, allowing the ball to pass between his bat and pads and castle the stumps. Patel joined Rahul after Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Abishek Porel in the eighth over.
Porel attempted to use Jadeja's flatter ball but was unable to get through. Pathirana made a straightforward catch to remove the second Delhi wicket. After losing an early wicket, Delhi's batters stood firm on the pitch, culminating in a 50-run partnership between KL Rahul and Abishek Porel at the end of the powerplay, TNIE reported.
Khaleel Ahmed struck early, dismissing Jake Fraser-McGurk. With some severe away swings in the opening over, a slow ball forced McGurk to make a big shot.
DC are 92/3 after 11 overs.
The Delhi Capitals (DC) won the toss and decided to bat against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the latter's home stadium, MA Chidambaram Stadium.
"We are going to bat first. Feels like there’ll be help for the bowlers. Expect it to get slower as the game progresses," said DC skipper Axar Patel.
Delhi Capitals have made a strong start to their IPL 2025 campaign, winning both of their matches. They are currently second on the points table, just behind Punjab Kings due to net run rate.
In contrast, the five-time IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings, have had a shaky beginning under new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Although they won their opening match against Mumbai Indians, they have since suffered two consecutive defeats—first, a 50-run loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore, who ended a 17-year winless streak at Chepauk, and then a narrow six-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals.
As both teams prepare for today's match, Delhi Capitals will be keen to continue their winning run, while Chennai Super Kings will aim to take advantage of the home conditions.
Playing XI
CSK: Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Khaleel Ahmed Matheesha Pathirana
DC: Jake Fraser-McGurk, KL Rahul(w), Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel(c), Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma