CSK Roar Back to Life with Crucial Win Over LSG

The IPL 2025 season saw another twist as Chennai Super Kings reminded everyone of their championship pedigree, snapping a losing streak and halting Lucknow Super Giants’ four-match winning run in style.

The match may have been in Lucknow, but the crowd was unmistakably yellow, roaring for CSK all evening and erupting when MS Dhoni walked out to bat. And boy, did he deliver. With CSK needing 56 off the last five overs, Dhoni rolled back the years with a blazing 26 off 11 balls, sealing the win and giving CSK fans a night to remember.

Earlier in the chase, the Men in Yellow finally addressed a key weakness — their slow starts. Debutant Shaik Rasheed and Rachin Ravindra gave CSK early momentum in the PowerPlay. But the middle overs brought pressure, thanks to a tight spell from LSG's spin trio of Digvesh, Bishnoi, and Markram.

Curiously, Bishnoi wasn’t bowled out — a decision that may haunt LSG. With Dhoni and Dube set at the crease, skipper Rishabh Pant opted for pace at the death, and CSK capitalized. Dube found his rhythm just in time, and with dew settling in, batting became easier.

Pant did offer some resistance with a promising knock earlier in the evening, but LSG’s total proved insufficient. CSK’s win is a much-needed shot of confidence in a season that hasn’t offered much cheer — but with performances like this, they’ve signaled that they’re far from done.

Continue the story here: Dhoni, Jadeja snap CSK's losing streak

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International games

• No international games today

Teenager Mhatre Joins CSK as Gaikwad’s Replacement; SRH Bring in Smaran for Zampa

Chennai Super Kings have found a young spark to replace injured skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad — 17-year-old Mumbai opener Ayush Mhatre. Signed for ₹30 lakh, the explosive top-order batter is yet to debut in T20s but comes with a strong List A record, including two eye-catching centuries — a brutal 181 off 117 balls against Nagaland and a 148 against Saurashtra. With a strike rate of 135.50 and an average above 65 in the format, Mhatre also offers part-time offspin and was a part of India’s U-19 squad for the 2024 Asia Cup. He had previously made waves with a 176-run knock in his first-class debut in the Irani Cup — ironically, against a Maharashtra side led by Gaikwad himself.

Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad have brought in 21-year-old Karnataka batter R. Smaran as a replacement for injured Aussie spinner Adam Zampa. Also picked at a base price of ₹30 lakh, Smaran had a memorable run in the 2024–25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 433 runs at an average of 72.16, including a match-winning century in the final. Known for his aggressive stroke play, Smaran has already shown promise in the T20 format too, striking at 170 in his first six matches.

Both youngsters now have a golden opportunity to leave their mark in IPL 2025.

Domestic cricket + T20 leagues

• Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings

  LSG 166/7 (20)

  CSK 168/5 (19.3)

  Chennai Super Kings won by 5 wkts

On This Day

Craig McDermott made an unforgettable entry into international cricket as a fiery 19-year-old in the 1985 Ashes, grabbing 30 wickets in just six Tests. While his career was often disrupted by injuries, McDermott cemented his place as Australia’s lead pacer in the early ’90s.

He had a special knack for tormenting England, picking up 84 wickets in 17 Tests against them — a staggering eight five-wicket hauls and two eight-fors included. One of his most iconic performances came in Perth during the 1990-91 Ashes, where he tore through England’s batting with 8 for 97, sparking a collapse from 191/2 to 244 all out.

McDermott was also the highest wicket-taker in the 1987 World Cup, playing a key role in Australia’s triumph. However, injuries returned to haunt him in the later years, forcing him to miss key tours like the 1993 Ashes, the historic 1995 win in the West Indies, and the 1996 World Cup.

Post-retirement, McDermott returned to the fold as Australia’s bowling coach in 2011, passing on his fiery spirit to the next generation of pacers.

Coming tomorrow

Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders

As IPL 2025 approaches its midpoint, both Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings find themselves hovering around the middle of the points table—but don't let their positions fool you. These are two teams bubbling with potential, each capable of making a serious push toward the top. A win on Tuesday could be the perfect launchpad.

Both sides have had rollercoaster campaigns so far, with wins and losses trading places almost every other game. But there’s a silver lining—most of their key players have already shown glimpses of form. Now, it's just a matter of clicking as a unit more consistently.

In a tournament where the top half is tightly packed, every match, every run, and every wicket counts—not just for the points, but also for the Net Run Rate. It's fine margins that could decide playoff spots later on.

Punjab Kings come into this game licking their wounds after a high-scoring defeat in Hyderabad, where even a total of 245 wasn't enough. With Mullanpur being another batting-friendly venue, their bowlers won't find it easy, especially against a power-hitter like Andre Russell—who, despite KKR’s batting inconsistencies, remains a threat on any surface.

Adding to Punjab's woes is the absence of Lockie Ferguson, whose injury has left a gap in their already vulnerable pace attack.

For KKR, this match is a chance to solidify their top-four ambitions. For PBKS, it’s about bouncing back and making a statement. Expect runs, fireworks, and a tight contest where both teams know the stakes are only getting higher.

What else is happening

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