So Rajasthan get their first win of the tournament. They played the same team as the KKR match, but just tweaked their bowling and batting order to get over the finish line. A second loss on the trot for CSK who seem to be a bit out of steam this season. T20 is a young person’s game and this season might just be showing the ‘dad’s army’ their age. However, we are just three games into the season, and as Stephen Fleming said in the previous game - just see at the end, who wins it. We’ll continue to see everything that happens this IPL season. For now, this is Saurabh Shankar signing off on behalf of Anurag Hedge, Ramakrishnan MS and Siva.

Nitish Rana | Player of the Match: I was just trying to ultiise the new ball. The powerplay was important as the older ball turns and stops. I wanted to play the field, rather than the wicket or the bowler. Whenever fine leg or third-man was up, I just had to use the bowlers pace. I felt I was hitting the ball too hard in the previous two games, that is something I analysed and changed today. (On him batting at 3) It was a tactical move today from the coaches. It was suggested by them, I am okay to bat at any position. We had a conversation in the dressing room between Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathour, and it was decided that I will bat at three today.

Riyan Parag: Feels good. Took some time, it was two games but felt long. Felt we were 20 short. We were going well in the middle overs but lost a couple of quick wickets. But we bowled very well. The bowlers stepped up and executed our collective plans. We have had two tough games, going for 280 and then not being able to defend around 180 in the second game. Luckily had a few options in this game, me and Nitish were also there. Just did what felt insitictive as a captain today. Fielding makes up for the 20 runs that we were short. We have been working with Dishant Yagnik, our fielding coach. So it shows.

Wanindu Hasaranga: I tried to do my basic things, tried to bowl stumps, at the end I tried to bowl wide. Our batters batted really well in the first innings and we saw how the wicket behaved. (On the wicket he enjoyed the most) Ruturaj Gaikwad because he’s a really good player, he batted really well, end of the innings I got him out. Riyan Parag took a brilliant catch, Hetmyer was also gun in the field. (On his celebrations) Especially in India, love to watch Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil films, got that from Pushpa film. We have really good bowling attack, especially in the middle, myself and Maheesh (Theekshana), we have different roles to play. The fast bowlers as well. Myself and Maheesh (Theekshana) have to play different roles, sometimes with the old ball and sometimes in the middle.

Ruturaj Gaikwad: Obvious in the PP (the key moment in the game). NItish batted well and we were not proactive knowing he was going behind square and we should have made him play in front of the wicket. 8-10 runs through misfields as well. We are trying to improve there. 180 was chasable. Still a good wicket if you hit the pockets. I was really happy at the innings break. They were looking good for 210, but 180 was chasable. (About him batting at No. 3) Over the years Ajinkya batted at 3 and Rayudu was taking care of middle-overs. We thought it would be better if I came a bit late to take care of the middle overs and Tripathi can bat aggressively at the top. Anyway it doesn't matter because I am getting to bat early in the three games (smiles). It was decided during the auction time and I don't have any problem with that. I can take risks when needed and rotate strike. Unfortunately we have not been getting the good starts but once we get that things will be different. (Positives) Noor as usual bowling well, Khaleel bowling well and Jaddu bhai bowled well as well. You need some momentum in the bowling department. I think once everything comes together and we have the momentum we will be a really good side.

STAT: CSK have lost each of the nine games in which they were set a 175-plus target since IPL 2021. They won the toss in seven of these games, including today.

CSK have lost each of the nine games in which they were set a 175-plus target since IPL 2021. They won the toss in seven of these games, including today.

Spinners with 4-fers vs CSK in the IPL
5/18 - Harbhajan Singh (MI), Mumbai WS, 2011
4/29 - Brad Hogg (KKR), Kolkata, 2015
4/35 - Wanindu Hasaranga (RR), Guwahati, 2025

Hasaranga is also just the second RR bowler with a 4-plus wicket haul vs CSK after Sohail Tanvir’s 6/14 in Jaipur in the inaugural edition.

CSK vs RR in the IPL (30 matches)
2008 to 2010: 4-3 RR
2011 to 2019: 11-3 CSK
Since 2020: 7-2 RR

23:30 Local Time, 18:00 GMT, 23:30 IST:

RR v CSK, Guwahati 2025: 20 needed off the final over with Dhoni and Jadeja at the crease, Sandeep bowls RR to a 6-run win

CSK v RR, Chepauk 2023: 21 needed off the final over with Dhoni and Jadeja on strike, Sandeep bowls RR to a 3-run win

Sandeep Sharma to Jamie Overton, 2 runs, to deep mid-wicket

Sandeep Sharma to Jamie Overton, 2 runs, that settles the game!! A slower bouncer from Sandeep Sharma. Overton with a big pull shot that he skews off the toe-end.

Sandeep Sharma to Jamie Overton, SIX, that's one of them!! Don't go anywhere, folks. This game is in the pressure cooker again...

Sandeep Sharma to Jadeja, 1 run, very full onto off stump, drilled along the ground towards long-off. Just a single, CSK need 3 sixes now to win!

Sandeep Sharma to Jamie Overton, 1 run, yorker length delivery, stabbed down to long-off

Jamie Overton, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Sandeep Sharma to Dhoni, out Caught by Hetmyer!! Dhoni c Hetmyer b Sandeep Sharma 16(11) [4s-1 6s-1]