Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 5 wickets in the 30th match of IPL 2025 at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. CSK bowlers performed well and restricted LSG to 166/7. Shaik Rasheed and Rachin Ravindra gave a flying start that set the stage for CSK. Although a few wickets fell in quick succession during the middle overs, making it seem like CSK had lost their way, a cool and composed innings by Shivam Dube and a blazing knock by MS Dhoni at the end helped CSK successfully chase down the target.
CSK Gave Early Blows to LSG
Chennai Super Kings won the toss, and MS Dhoni opted to bowl first. Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh opened for Lucknow Super Giants. Khaleel Ahmed began the bowling for CSK. Markram hit a boundary but got out on the last ball of the over, caught brilliantly by Rahul Tripathi. Khaleel ended the over with only six runs and a wicket. Nicholas Pooran came in at No. 3. Anshul Kamboj bowled a tight second over, giving away just one run. LSG reached 7/1 after two overs.
Pooran found a boundary in the third over. Marsh hit the first six in the fourth over. Pooran added another boundary, but Anshul dismissed him LBW for 8 runs off 9 balls. LSG stood at 23/2 after 4 overs. Rishabh Pant entered at No. 4. Marsh hit a four and a six in the fifth over. Pant struck a boundary in the sixth over. After the powerplay, LSG were 42/2.
Pant and Marsh Look to Rebuild
Jamie Overton bowled the seventh over. Pant hit a six, and 11 runs came from the over. Both batsmen looked to settle and build a partnership. Jadeja came on in the 8th over. LSG reached 63/2. Noor Ahmad bowled a tight 9th over, conceding only five runs. Jadeja struck in the 10th over by dismissing Marsh. Ayush Badoni replaced him and opened with a boundary. LSG reached 78/3 after 10 overs.
Badoni Attacks, Pant Anchors
Noor Ahmad gave only three runs in the 11th over. In the 12th over, Badoni hit back-to-back sixes off Overton. LSG were at 95/3. Pathirana bowled the 13th over. LSG crossed 100, and Badoni survived a close call. Jadeja got him stumped in the 14th over. He scored 22 off 17 balls. Abdul Samad joined Pant. Noor Ahmad again kept it tight with only two runs in the 15th over. LSG were at 109/4.
Pant Takes Charge in Death Overs
Samad smashed a six off Pathirana in the 16th over. Noor gave just two runs in the 17th. Pant accelerated in the 18th over, completing his fifty with a six. LSG scored 18 runs in the over and reached 139/4. In the 19th over, Pant and Samad took on Khaleel to push the score to 155/4. In the final over, Dhoni’s direct hit ran out Samad. Pathirana then dismissed Pant on the next ball. He made 63 off 49 balls. Shardul scored six runs before getting out on the last delivery. Pathirana finished with two wickets in the over. LSG posted 166/7 in 20 overs.
CSK Start Strong in the Chase
Chasing 167, Shaik Rasheed and Rachin Ravindra opened for CSK. Shardul Thakur bowled the first over. Ravindra hit back-to-back boundaries. Akash Deep bowled the second over. Rasheed responded with three boundaries. CSK reached 37/0 after just three overs. Digvesh Singh bowled the fourth. Rasheed hit a boundary to end the over. Ravindra then hit another boundary off Avesh Khan. CSK reached 50 in 4.2 overs. Avesh dismissed Rasheed for 27 off 19. Rahul Tripathi came in next. After six overs, CSK were 59/1.
LSG Strikes Back
Bishnoi bowled the seventh over and gave away eight runs. Ravindra continued his attack but got out in the 8th over for 37 off 22. CSK were 74/2. Jadeja walked in at No. 4. Bishnoi bowled the ninth over and removed Tripathi. Dube joined Jadeja. CSK were 81/3 after 10 overs.
Digvesh gave six runs in the 11th over. Dube hit a six in the 12th over. Bishnoi dismissed Jadeja in the 13th over. He scored 7 off 11. Vijay Shankar entered and hit a boundary. CSK reached 104/4 after 13 overs. Markram gave away five runs in the 14th. Digvesh then dismissed Shankar in the 15th. CSK were struggled at 111/5 after 15 overs.
Dhoni and Dube Finish in Style
MS Dhoni entered at No. 7. Avesh Khan bowled the 16th. Dhoni hit two boundaries to finish the over. CSK were 123/5. In the 17th, Dube hit a four, and Dhoni launched a six. CSK moved to 136/5. Avesh returned in the 18th and gave only 7 runs.
Shardul Thakur bowled the 19th. Dube struck a boundary and a six off a no-ball. CSK crossed 150. Dhoni survived a dropped catch. A 50-run partnership formed between the duo. CSK reached 155/5. In the final over, Dube hit a boundary to seal the win. CSK defeated LSG by 5 wickets. Shivam Dube remained unbeaten on 43 off 37. MS Dhoni finished on 26 off just 11 balls.