IPL 2025: Nitish and Hasaranga Propel Rajasthan to Season's First Victory Over Chennai Super Kings
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Synopsis
In a thrilling match on March 30, 2025, Rajasthan Royals secured their first win of the IPL 2025 season against Chennai Super Kings by six runs, thanks to a spectacular 81 from Nitish Rana and a four-wicket haul by Wanindu Hasaranga. The game showcased intense moments, with both teams battling fiercely.
Key Takeaways
- Nitish Rana scored an impressive 81 runs.
- Wanindu Hasaranga took four wickets, sealing the win.
- Chennai struggled in the chase, falling short by six runs.
- Jofra Archer made an impactful start with an early wicket.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad fought hard but couldn't finish the chase.
Guwahati, March 30 (NationPress) Following a stellar performance by Nitish Rana, who scored 81 runs, and Wanindu Hasaranga's remarkable four-wicket haul, Rajasthan Royals triumphed over Chennai Super Kings by six runs, marking their inaugural win of the IPL 2025 season.
This victory came after Rajasthan faced losses against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders in their first two matches.
Chasing a target of 183, Chennai started poorly as Jofra Archer dismissed Rachin Ravindra for a duck, marking a wicket-maiden to begin the match.
Rahul Tripathi and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad managed to navigate through the powerplay cautiously, scoring 42 runs. Their partnership of 46 runs was broken by Hasaranga in the eighth over, dismissing Tripathi for 23 runs.
During the middle overs, Chennai struggled to form effective partnerships, with Rajasthan bowlers consistently taking wickets, including Shivam Dube (18) and Vijay Shankar (9) at the hands of Hasaranga. Gaikwad remained steadfast, reaching his half-century to keep the chase alive.
However, Hasaranga ended Gaikwad's innings in the 16th over, paving the way for MS Dhoni to enter under pressure. Chennai needed 45 runs from the last three overs, and with Dhoni and Jadeja at the crease, it seemed feasible.
Yet, Maheesh Theekshana bowled exceptionally in the 18th over, conceding only six runs. In the subsequent over, Tushar Deshpande was hit for two sixes and a four, keeping hope alive.
In the final over, defending 20 runs, Sandeep Sharma dismissed Dhoni on the first ball, concluding his innings at 16 runs, which included one four and one six. With Jadeja still batting, Jamie Overturn hit a six on the fourth ball, leaving a challenging equation of 11 runs from two balls. A double and a single on the last two deliveries allowed Sandeep to secure Rajasthan's first win of the season.
For Rajasthan, Hasaranga's impressive figures were 4 wickets for 35 runs across four overs, while Archer and Sandeep each claimed a wicket.
Earlier, batting first, Rajasthan lost opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (4) on the third delivery off pacer Khaleel Ahmed. Nitish entered at No. 3, joining Sanju Samson in the middle. The pair capitalized on the powerplay, scoring boundaries consistently.
Nitish played aggressively, securing his first IPL half-century since 2023 in just 21 balls, propelling Rajasthan to 79/1 after six overs.
Spinner Noor Ahmad eventually broke through, dismissing Samson for 21 in the eighth over. Stand-in captain Riyan Parag and Nitish continued to rotate strikes, adding a 38-run partnership before Nitish was stumped by MS Dhoni off Ravichandran Ashwin.
Nitish's explosive innings totaled 81 runs from 36 balls, featuring 10 fours and five sixes. Dhruv Jurel and Hasaranga struggled, losing their wickets to Noor Ahmad and Ravindra Jadeja respectively, as Chennai's bowlers tightened their grip.
Riyan added a quick 26-run partnership with Shimron Hetmyer to push the total past 150. Riyan's innings of 37 was cut short by Matheesha Pathirana with a yorker in the 18th over.
With wickets falling rapidly, Hetmyer (19) followed suit, becoming Pathirana's second victim.
Over the last eight overs, Rajasthan managed only 53 runs, losing their last five wickets in just 30 balls.
For Chennai, Khaleel, Pathirana, and Noor each took two wickets, enabling a comeback.
Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 176/6 in 20 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 63, Ravindra Jadeja 32 not out; Wanindu Hasaranga 4-35) lost to Rajasthan Royals 182/9 in 20 overs (Nitish Rana 81, Riyan Parag 37; Noor Ahmad 2-28, Matheesha Pathirana 2-28, Khaleel Ahmed 2-38) by six runs.
