KL Rahul was named the player of the match for his splendid batting performance in the first innings. The right-handed batter opening the innings smashed 77 runs in 51 balls. His knock allowed Delhi Capitals to register a daunting target of 184 runs to the hosts. Rahul was opening the innings for the first time in the season and looked in great touch. He smashed six fours and three sixes in his knock.
KL Rahul opened the innings for Delhi Capitals in the absence of Faf du Plessis. As is the case with the Indian team, changes of positions in the batting order rarely have an effect on Rahul’s form. Opening the innings, Rahul struck his first half-century for Delhi Capitals. He top-scored for the visitors with a 77-run knock in 51 balls. His innings consisted of six fours and three sixes as he smashed at a strike rate of 150.
Vipraj Nigam has been one of the many young stars who have performed brilliantly in IPL 2025. After impressing with the bat in hand in the first game, Vipraj bowled with great control against Chennai Super Kings in spin-friendly conditions. He picked up two crucial wickets of Devon Conway and Shivam Dube.
Khaleel Ahmed has been one of the most consistent players for the Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL season. The left-arm pacer has more often than not struck with the new ball in the powerplay. However, this year he has added another skill to his arsenal which has made him a potent threat with the older ball as well. Against his former side, Delhi Capitals, Khaleel struck in the very first over of the match to send Jake Fraser-McGurk back to the dressing room. He remained economical in the powerplay bowling three overs. With the older ball, bowling his final over, the left-arm pacer dismissed Sameer Rizvi who was looking in touch to get a big score.
Vijay Shankar top-scored for Chennai Super Kings in the second innings. He was given multiple chances by the Delhi Capitals. However, it ended up being a frustrating knock by the Indian batter. He scored 69 runs in 54 balls. In spite of being not out, Shankar could not lead the hosts to the victory.
KL Rahul and Khaleel Ahmed were the star performers in the first innings. Rahul opening the innings for the first time this season showed his class right from the powerplay till he stayed at the crease. He never let any bowler settle, especially the dangerous-looking CSK spin trio. He received great support from Abhishek Porel and Sameer Rizvi.
For the men in yellow, Khaleel Ahmed continued his fine form with the ball in hand. He picked up two wickets in the first innings. The left-arm pacer dismissed Jake Fraser-McGurk in the first over for a duck. With the old ball, he came back to bowl his final over and dismissed former CSK batter, Sameer Rizvi.
It was a great bowling performance from Delhi Capitals in the second innings. However, it was an equally brain-fade batting performance from the hosts. Even though Vijay Shankar and MS Dhoni batted for close to 10 overs, they never looked to take charge against the DC bowling lineup. On the other hand, the DC bowlers were right on the money for the majority of the second innings. Youngster, Vipraj Nigam took two wickets in four overs and went for only 27 runs. Kuldeep Yadav and Mitchell Starc also bowled with great control as well.
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