IPL 2025: Dube and Jadeja's Fifties Lead CSK to 176/5 Against MI

Mumbai, April 20 (NationPress) In a demonstration of the adage that top athletes deliver during pivotal moments, Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja both notched important half-centuries, enabling Chennai Super Kings to compile a score of 176/5 in their allotted 20 overs during the El Clasico showdown against Mumbai Indians in Match 38 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

The venue was packed to capacity for this significant clash of the IPL 2025 season, despite both teams, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, struggling at the lower end of the points table.

Dube made an impressive 50 runs off 32 deliveries, highlighted by two fours and four sixes, while Jadeja concluded the innings with a solid unbeaten 53 off 35 balls, featuring four boundaries and two sixes.

CSK managed to score 59 runs in the first five overs, as Dube and Jadeja formed a crucial 79-run partnership for the fourth wicket off just 50 balls, giving the Chennai innings a respectable total.

Although young bowler Ashwani Kumar faced difficulties against debutant Ayush Mhatre (32 off 15 balls), conceding 42 runs for one wicket in two overs, Mitchell Santner bowled exceptionally well, delivering three overs for just 14 runs while taking one wicket. Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler for Mumbai, recording figures of 2-25 in his four overs, including the pivotal dismissals of Shivam Dube and captain MS Dhoni (4).

Returning to his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium proved to be a beneficial venue for Shivam Dube, who competes for Mumbai in domestic cricket. Dube, who had faced criticism for his previous performances as CSK suffered five consecutive losses, delivered a spectacular half-century, enabling his team to set a challenging target.

Ayush Mhatre, just 17 years old, showcased how to score effectively on the slow and gripping Wankhede wicket with an impressive debut performance, scoring 32 runs off just 15 balls after Rachin Ravindra fell for five runs at the hands of Ashwani. From a position of 16/1, CSK surged to 48/1 by the end of the power play, with Mhatre hitting Ashwani Kumar for a four followed by two sixes in his opening over — reminiscent of the explosive hitting of Dwayne Bravo. Mhatre's ability to pull and flick helped provide the necessary momentum for the CSK innings.

Dube then took charge, starting cautiously alongside Jadeja before launching a series of sixes against Ashwani Kumar, including one that was deflected over the boundary by Bumrah in the 16th over, a significant period for CSK as Jadeja also hit a big six. Dube earlier managed to hit the day’s longest six off Trent Boult and smashed another over deep midwicket against Hardik Pandya.

In contrast, Jadeja's innings was characterized by his aggressive running, converting singles into twos and finishing with an impressive 16 runs in the final over bowled by Trent Boult to complete his fifty.

Brief scores:

Chennai Super Kings 176/5 in 20 overs (Ravindra Jadeja 53 not out, Shivam Dube 50, Ayush Mhatre 32; Jasprit Bumrah 2-25, Mitchell Santner 1-14) against Mumbai Indians