Kara Riggs By Kara Riggs, NZB News
26 April 2025
Sunrisers Hyderabad pulled off a historic five-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings in Match 43 of the Indian Premier League 2025 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on 25 April 2025. Chasing 155, SRH reached the target with 10 balls to spare, led by Kamindu Mendis’ unbeaten 32 and Ishan Kishan’s 44. For New Zealand fans, Pat Cummins’ disciplined captaincy for SRH and Rachin Ravindra’s absence for CSK were notable talking points.
Background Information
The IPL 2025 season has been challenging for both teams. Chennai Super Kings, led by MS Dhoni, languished at the bottom with two wins from eight matches, their worst start since 2022, exacerbated by Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury and three home losses at Chepauk. Sunrisers Hyderabad, under Pat Cummins, sat ninth with two wins, their explosive batting faltering away from Hyderabad. The Chepauk pitch, traditionally spin-friendly with an average first-innings score of 150, has been tough for batters, with spinners taking 27 of 50 wickets this season. New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra has struggled for CSK, while Cummins’ leadership has been SRH’s backbone. This clash, with CSK holding a 15-6 head-to-head edge, was a must-win for both sides’ playoff hopes.
Match Details
Teams: Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Date: 25 April 2025
Toss: Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and elected to bowl.
Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 5 wickets.
Chennai Super Kings scored 154 all out in 20 overs, with Dewald Brevis’ 42 off 25 balls and Ayush Mhatre’s 30 off 18 topping the charts. SRH’s Harshal Patel claimed 4 for 27, supported by Pat Cummins’ 2 for 29. Sunrisers Hyderabad chased 155 in 18.2 overs, finishing at 155 for 5, driven by Ishan Kishan’s 44 off 33 and Kamindu Mendis’ 32 not out off 29, with Nitish Kumar Reddy’s 12 not out sealing the win.
Highlights
CSK’s innings started brightly, with Mhatre’s 30, including four boundaries, and Sam Curran’s 21 setting a brisk pace. Harshal Patel’s double strike in the seventh over, dismissing Mhatre and Curran, pegged CSK back to 55 for 3. Brevis’ aggressive 42, with three sixes, and Deepak Hooda’s 15 rebuilt, but Jaydev Unadkat’s removal of Ravindra Jadeja for 8 and Harshal’s four-wicket haul, including Hooda and Noor Ahmad in the final over, restricted CSK to 154. SRH’s chase was rocked early, with Abhishek Sharma falling for a golden duck to Khaleel Ahmed. Kishan’s 44 and Travis Head’s 19 steadied the innings, but quick wickets of Head, Heinrich Klaasen (7), and Aniket Verma (2) to Noor Ahmad left SRH at 114 for 5 after 15 overs. Mendis’ composed 32, with a crucial boundary off Pathirana, and Reddy’s calm 12 guided SRH home. Harshal earned Player of the Match for his bowling.
Records
MS Dhoni’s Milestone: Dhoni became the fourth Indian to play 400 T20 matches, joining Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, and Andre Russell. Harshal Patel’s 4 for 27 was his 14th IPL four-wicket haul, level with Lasith Malinga for third-most. SRH’s First Chepauk Win: SRH’s victory was their first against CSK at Chepauk in 10 attempts, ending a 17-year jinx.
Historical Data
SRH’s win narrowed CSK’s head-to-head lead to 15-7 in 22 IPL meetings, overturning CSK’s 78-run victory in 2024. At Chepauk, CSK had won all nine prior clashes against SRH. CSK’s five IPL titles contrast with SRH’s 2016 triumph and 2024 final appearance. New Zealand players have featured prominently, with Cummins’ 11 wickets for SRH this season and Ravindra’s 51 runs for CSK, though he was dropped for this match. The IPL’s global pull saw nine Kiwis prioritise the tournament over a T20I series against Pakistan in March 2025.
Discussion
SRH’s historic Chepauk win was a triumph of adaptability. Harshal’s swing and Cummins’ discipline exploited CSK’s batting frailties, with Brevis’ 42 a lone highlight. Mendis’ calm chase, supported by Kishan’s grit, outmaneuvered CSK’s spinners, with Noor Ahmad’s 2 for 35 unable to stem the tide. CSK’s fourth straight home loss, their worst-ever at Chepauk, exposed their reliance on absent stars like Gaikwad. For New Zealand fans, Cummins’ 2 for 29 and strategic toss decision were pivotal, while Ravindra’s absence raised questions about CSK’s selection. The spin-heavy Chepauk pitch suited SRH’s adjusted approach, with Mendis thriving against Pathirana’s pace. SRH’s third win keeps their playoff hopes alive, while CSK’s seventh loss virtually eliminates them.
IPL 2025 Points Table (as of 26 April 2025)
+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Team | M | W | L | P | NRR |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Delhi Capitals | 9 | 7 | 2 |14 | +0.800|
| Mumbai Indians | 9 | 5 | 4 |10 | +0.200|
| Royal Challengers | 9 | 5 | 4 |10 | -0.050|
| Punjab Kings |10 | 5 | 5 |10 | +0.050|
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 9 | 4 | 5 | 8 | -0.050|
| Lucknow Super Giants | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 | -0.200|
| Gujarat Titans | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 | -0.150|
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 9 | 3 | 6 | 6 | -0.350|
| Chennai Super Kings | 9 | 2 | 7 | 4 | -0.400|
| Rajasthan Royals | 9 | 2 | 7 | 4 | -0.100|
+-----------------------+-----------------------+Key: M = Matches, W = Won, L = Lost, P = Points, NRR = Net Run Rate
Orange Cap and Purple Cap Standings
The Orange Cap is held by Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru with 390 runs in 9 matches, his best being 93 not out. The Purple Cap is held by Josh Hazlewood of Royal Challengers Bengaluru with 17 wickets in 9 matches, his best being 4 for 33.
Next Matches Schedule
On 26 April 2025, Mumbai Indians face Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai at 7:30 PM IST. On 27 April 2025, Lucknow Super Giants play Mumbai Indians in Lucknow at 7:30 PM IST. On 28 April 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru meet Gujarat Titans in Bengaluru at 7:30 PM IST. On 29 April 2025, Chennai Super Kings take on Delhi Capitals in Chennai at 7:30 PM IST. On 30 April 2025, Sunrisers Hyderabad face Punjab Kings in Hyderabad at 7:30 PM IST.
What’s Next?
Chennai Super Kings face Delhi Capitals on 29 April 2025 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, needing a miracle to revive their campaign, with Dhoni and Jadeja under pressure to inspire against KL Rahul’s in-form side. Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Punjab Kings on 30 April 2025 in Hyderabad, where Cummins, Klaasen, and Mendis must maintain momentum to keep their playoff hopes alive. CSK’s elimination looms, while SRH’s third win offers a glimmer of hope.
Summary
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s five-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings was a landmark triumph, their first at Chepauk. Dewald Brevis’ 42 and Ayush Mhatre’s 30 lifted CSK to 154, but Harshal Patel’s 4 for 27 and Pat Cummins’ 2 for 29 kept them in check. Kamindu Mendis’ unbeaten 32 and Ishan Kishan’s 44 powered SRH to 155 for 5, despite Noor Ahmad’s late strikes. The win moves SRH to eighth with 6 points, keeping their playoff hopes alive, while CSK’s seventh loss leaves them ninth with 4 points, on the brink of elimination. For New Zealand fans, Cummins’ leadership shone. As SRH chase a revival and CSK face an uphill battle, IPL 2025 continues to deliver drama.
