K L Rahul stroked a fluent half-century as a dominant Delhi Capitals outclassed Chennai Super Kings by 25 runs in the IPL 2025 match in Chennai on Saturday.

Rahul mixed his trademark elegance with brute force during a 51-ball 77 to steer Delhi Capitals to 183/6. The CSK batting line-up once again failed to live up to expectations as they finished on 158/5 in their 20 overs.

DC jumped to the top of the standings after winning their first three matches, while CSK are eighth with just one victory from four matches played.

It was a disappointing performance from the CSK batters, as Vijay Shankar top-scored with an unbeaten 69 from 54 balls, while Dhoni made a sedate 30 not out from 26 balls.

Earlier, Rahul, opening the batting in place of the injured Faf du Plessis, struck six fours and three sixes to anchor DC’s innings after they opted to bat first. 

Tristan Stubbs chipped in with an unbeaten 12-ball 24 before Matheesha Pathirana (1/31) bowled a brilliant final over to prevent DC from finishing their innings on a high.

DC suffered a jolt at the start of their innings thanks to an excellent first over from Khaleel Ahmed (2/25), who had big-hitting opener Jake Fraser-McGurk caught after putting him under pressure with four dot balls.

Credit to Khaleel for plotting Fraser-McGurk’s dismissal by banging the ball on the good length. Notwithstanding the early jitter, DC managed to score 51 runs in the Powerplay and that was largely because of the enterprise shown by Abhishek Porel (33 off 20 balls), who collected 19 runs from left-arm fast-medium bowler Mukesh Choudhary’s first over.

Playing this game in place of Rahul Tripathi, Choudhary struggled to get his length right and was bowling either too full of too short, and Porel took full advantage of some wayward bowling. 

Khaleel returned to bowl another fine over and Choudhary too did much better in his second over.

K L Rahul broke the shackles with a six over deep square leg off Khaleel before CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad introduced spin in the form of the seasoned Ravichandran Ashwin in the sixth over, hoping for a wicket.

The much-needed breakthrough, however, came in the next over as Porel ended up giving an easy catch to Matheesha Pathirana after driving Ravindra Jadeja uppishly in the left-arm spinner’s first over.

K L Rahul broke the shackles with a six over deep square leg off Khaleel before CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad introduced spin in the form of the seasoned Ravichandran Ashwin in the sixth over, hoping for a wicket.

The much-needed breakthrough, however, came in the next over as Porel ended up giving an easy catch to Matheesha Pathirana after driving Ravindra Jadeja uppishly in the left-arm spinner’s first over.

On either side of Axar’s dismissal, Rahul struck two sixes off Noor Ahmad and Jadeja respectively, before reaching his 38th IPL fifty off 33 balls. 

Rahul found an able ally in Sameer Rizvi (20 off 15 balls) as the duo added 56 runs for the fourth wicket in quick time.

Digvesh Singh Rathi’s ability to consistently hit an immaculate length with subtle variations, like the off-break and carrom ball, makes him a dangerous bowler, feels former Australia white-ball great Shane Watson.

The 25-year-old rookie Delhi leg-spinner is the break-out star this IPL season for Lucknow Super Giants. He has already taken six wickets at an economy rate of 7.62, with his skipper, Rishabh Pant, completing his quota in all four games.

“It seems like he was born to perform on this IPL stage. He wasn’t reserved; he was out there, beating his chest, showing confidence and executing beautifully,” Watson told JioHotstar after LSG defeated Mumbai Indians by 12 runs and Rathi got the ‘Player of The Match’ award for his 1 for 21 in four overs which included eight dot balls.

Rathi brought LSG back into the game when Naman Dhir (46 off 24 balls) was looking ominous. He breached Dhir’s defence with a carrom ball delivery that turned like an off-break.

“What stands out about Digvesh is how simple he keeps his game. He runs in, uses his variations — the carrom ball and off-spinner — but his control over length is what makes him so dangerous. When a bowler gets the length right, it’s tough for batters to step out or go on the back foot,” Watson explained.

“To think that in a high-scoring game, where nearly 200 runs were posted, he conceded just 21 runs in his four overs, that’s something very, very special.”

Rathi mentioned that his passion for spin bowling grew watching Sunil Narine bowl.

Watson also found shades of Narine in the Delhi lad who sports a flowing mane.

“It’s the kind of impact we usually see from Sunil Narine. That’s why he was the Man of the Match. Performances like this don’t happen often. But that’s the beauty of the IPL. Every season, new talents like Digvesh burst onto the scene and showcase their incredible skills.”

Watson was all praise for Shardul Thakur, whose crucial 19th over, in which he conceded only seven runs, made it easier for Avesh Khan to defend 22 runs in the final over.

“Shardul executed brilliantly. He knew he had to commit to his yorker. Typically, bowlers rely on changes of pace early on, but that just wasn’t working tonight. So, he focused on nailing his yorkers, especially against an in-form Hardik Pandya.”

The performance would be a morale booster for Shardul, who wasn’t originally picked by any franchise, said Watson.

“Bowling a seven-run over at such a crucial stage, with Hardik at the crease, was special. That’s a big confidence booster for him. Given that Shardul went unsold in the auction and then got picked up as a free agent, you can see how determined he is to prove himself. He’s now delivered two strong performances, and this one played a major role in LSG getting over the line.”

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant was all praise for his team after its all-round performance in the 12-run victory over Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League match in Lucknow on Friday.

He was particularly lavish on Mitchell Marsh, Shardul Thakur and young Digvesh Singh Rathi.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Pant acknowledged that the team is gradually finding the right rhythm and adapting to the conditions on offer.

“One thing sure is that the wicket is playing really well; we need to figure out what’s working for us and what is not. Very simple! Before we wanted a different kind of wicket, but whatever is offered to us we will take it and play,” he said, highlighting the team’s flexibility in approach.

Marsh provided the early impetus with a blistering knock off 60 off 31 deliveries, which included nine boundaries and two sixes. Alongside Aiden Markram, he stitched a powerful opening stand of 76 runs, setting the tone for the chase.

“When a player like Mitch [Mitchell] Marsh gives us a start like that, it gives time to the middle-order. That’s the idea. We want to play according to the situation; the kind of start we got, it put us in a good state,” Pant noted.

He lauded his team for staying composed under pressure despite strong resistance from Mumbai Indians.

“Mentally, it was tough for all of us. They were not losing too many wickets; kudos to them, but we held our nerve and finished it off.”

Shardul Thakur, entrusted with the crucial 19th over, conceded just seven runs and played a key role in closing out the game.

“He is amazing for us; now I can say that he has been an amazing pick. We need to back him,” Pant said, expressing confidence in the experienced all-rounder.

Youngster Digvesh Singh Rathi continued to impress, returning economical figures of 1 for 21 and earning the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

He lauded the rising star, saying, “He is one of our leading bowlers; the way he is holding his nerve… good to see a youngster perform like that.”