Dhoni, Noor and Jadeja snap CSK's losing streak

Chennai Super Kings (168/5) beat Lucknow Super Giants (166/7) by five wickets

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) halted their five-match losing streak in IPL 2025 with a hard-fought five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), thanks to a composed finish by MS Dhoni and Shivam Dube, and disciplined spells from Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad.

Facing a stiff chase and the pressure of another potential defeat, CSK were in a tricky spot needing 56 runs off the last five overs when Dhoni walked out to join Dube. The former captain turned back the clock with an unbeaten 26 off just 11 deliveries, striking boundaries with vintage flair, while Dube anchored the innings with 43* off 27 to seal the win with three balls to spare. Their 57-run stand off 28 balls proved decisive.

Earlier, Rishabh Pant admitted LSG were "10-15 runs short" after being asked to bat. Despite his own gritty 63 off 49 — his first IPL half-century for LSG — the team posted only 166/7, their lowest total this season. Jadeja (2/24) and Noor Ahmad (0/13 in 4 overs) applied the brakes during the middle overs, restricting scoring and building pressure.

CSK’s run chase began with promise, powered by IPL debutant Shaik Rasheed, who opened with a classy 27 off 19, including six boundaries. He and Rachin Ravindra (37 off 22) set the tone early, helping CSK race to 50 in just 4.2 overs. But LSG’s spinners — Bishnoi, Rathi, and Markram — clawed them back into the game with combined figures of 4 for 66 in 11 overs.

However, LSG's gamble to hold back Ravi Bishnoi’s final over backfired, as pacers Avesh Khan and Shardul Thakur were taken apart by Dhoni and Dube. Thakur’s 19-run penultimate over, which included two full tosses, crushed LSG’s hopes of a late comeback.

Dhoni’s impact — a mixture of power hitting and smart running — earned him his first IPL Player-of-the-Match award since 2019.

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