Chennai Super Kings (CSK) held their nerve to defeat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 5 wickets in Match 30 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Monday. The five-time champions, reeling at the bottom of the table before this game, delivered a complete performance to get their campaign back on track.
MS Dhoni and Shivam Dube take CSK over the finish line
After winning the toss, CSK skipper MS Dhoni opted to bowl first, and his bowlers backed the decision with a disciplined effort. Lucknow’s innings got off to a stuttering start with Aiden Markram departing early for just 6 runs. Mitchell Marsh looked promising with a brisk 30 off 25 balls, but he too couldn’t convert his start into a big score. The turning point came when Nicholas Pooran was dismissed for just 8 runs, curbing LSG’s acceleration during the powerplay.
Rishabh Pant played a captain’s knock for the home team, anchoring the innings with a gritty 63 off 49 balls, peppered with 4 fours and 4 sixes. He stitched together key partnerships in the middle overs with Ayush Badoni (22 off 17) and Abdul Samad (20 off 11), giving LSG a fighting total of 166/7. CSK’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Ravindra Jadeja (2/24) and Matheesha Pathirana (2/45) striking at crucial moments. Youngster Anshul Kamboj impressed again, conceding just 20 runs in his 3 overs and picking up the vital wicket of Pooran. Noor Ahmad bowled a miserly spell of 0/13 in his 4 overs, keeping LSG’s run rate in check during the middle phase.
Chasing 167 under lights, CSK got off to a flying start courtesy of Shaik Rasheed and Rachin Ravindra. The pair added 52 runs in quick time, with Rasheed hammering 27 off 19 and Ravindra top-scoring with 37 off 22 balls. Though CSK lost wickets at regular intervals – including Jadeja (7 off 11) and Tripathi (9 off 10) – the required run rate was always within reach.
Shivam Dube anchored the middle overs with a calm and composed 43 off 37, hitting timely boundaries and ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking. Just when the match seemed poised for a tense finish, Dhoni unleashed a trademark late blitz. His unbeaten 26 off just 11 balls, including 4 fours and a six, brought back memories of vintage Dhoni as he guided CSK home. Dube hit the winning runs as CSK finished the match with three balls to spare.
For LSG, Ravi Bishnoi was the standout with the ball, picking up 2/18 in his 3 overs, while Markram and Digvesh Singh chipped in with a wicket each. But the rest of the bowling attack failed to contain CSK’s calculated assault, with Shardul Thakur leaking 56 runs in his 4 overs.
With this win, CSK bagged two crucial points, breathing life into their playoff hopes. The Player of the Match award was fittingly given to Dhoni for his game-changing knock that sealed a much-needed victory for the Super Kings.
Also WATCH: Anshul Kamboj traps Nicholas Pooran LBW after convincing MS Dhoni for a DRS – IPL 2025, LSG vs CSK
Here are the reactions from fans:
Shivam Dube & Dhoni finishing on their style csk won the match after freaking 5 match how’s the josh csk nation #CSKvsLSGpic.twitter.com/zNbxJvK2Dj
— Pikachu (@11eleven_4us) April 14, 2025
Shivam Dube 💛 MS Dhoni ♥️#CSKvsLSG pic.twitter.com/0Uqv3e4pbw
— Geeteshwar Mishra (@GeeteshwarMish2) April 14, 2025
Finally, a win for the 5-time champs after 5 losses on the trot! Dhoni & Dube held their nerves on a tricky pitch and took CSK home. Pressure off, momentum on! #CSK #Dhoni #IPL2025 #CSKvsLSG #ThalaMagic @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/3XbHb2mZT6
— Surender (@surenderdaru) April 14, 2025
Thala is back
CSK end a five-match losing streak!
Shivam Dube hits a critical 43* (37)
MS Dhoni turns back the clock with 26* (11)
Partnership between Dube and Dhoni – 57* (28)#IPL2025 #LSGvCSK #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/NcHSHjmxfK
— भौकाली बाबू (@imhhrrss) April 14, 2025
That’s some good game by csk
Good finish by thala Dhoni and dube
Now they are back on track
Their next match against Mumbai at wankhede
If somehow they defeat Mumbai at their home then they are truly back #CSKvsLSG— Mr Earth lover (@reddyGariAbayi) April 14, 2025
W from Chennai
Watched good opening partnership
Still the middle order has to work
Classic Dhoni finishing today
Calm Dube
And W bowling from both the teams— Devang Raval (@RedDevang0818) April 14, 2025
Dhoni and Dube 🔥💪#MSDhoni #CSKvsLSG #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/6qmH5WXpvb
— Grok Bhau (@GrokBhau) April 14, 2025
Thank you for the fightback. The fans badly needed this.
The openers played with intent.
Dube stuck around but he didn’t bat well – next game at his home ground. Needs to level it up.
Thala Dhoni was the game changer today!
All bowlers bowled well!
Our middle order sucks…
— sharat 🦅 (@sherry1111111) April 14, 2025
Finally, finally, finally….. The moment I was waiting for, finally CSK won 🥳🔥…. tbh, it’s like a miracle coz I didn’t have any hopes left, but my boy Dhoni and Dube pulled out this one, less goooooooo 🥳💛
— Devesh (@theywayshhh) April 14, 2025
MAHI MAR RAHA HAI.
THALA FOR A REASON 🔥🔥
Winning moments Dube finished by four.#LSGvsCSK | #Dhoni pic.twitter.com/fP0wa5zzeW
— Raja Prasad Yadav (@Raja_Prasad_Ydv) April 14, 2025
#Dhoni #CSKvsLSG Thala finishes off in style….Dube also played a calm inning of 43 in 37balls and DHONI scores 26 in just 11 balls with 4 fours and 1 six pic.twitter.com/OM2ivtSK11
— Aditya Rai (@AdityaR76251276) April 14, 2025
