TATA IPL 2025 season has been a rollercoaster of emotions, with breathtaking highs and unexpected lows defining its early stages. Match 11, played on March 30, 2025, at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, saw Rajasthan Royals (RR) take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a contest that showcased individual brilliance, tactical acumen, and the unrelenting spirit of IPL Live Cricket Score. RR posted a formidable 182/9, thanks to Nitish Rana’s explosive 81, but CSK’s disciplined bowling and a resilient chase fell just short, resulting in a nail-biting 11-run victory for RR. This article dives into the highlights of this pulsating clash, breaking down the key moments and performances that shaped the outcome.
Pre-Match Context: Two Teams Seeking Momentum
Heading into Match 11, both teams were desperate to find their footing in IPL 2025. Rajasthan Royals, led by stand-in captain Riyan Parag in Sanju Samson’s absence due to a minor injury, had endured a rocky start. After a 44-run thrashing by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their opener—where they conceded 286/6—RR struggled to balance their batting and bowling units. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s form remained a concern, and their bowling, despite boasting Jofra Archer and Wanindu Hasaranga, had leaked runs. This game in Guwahati, their second home venue alongside Jaipur, was a chance to turn things around.
Chennai Super Kings, under Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy, arrived with mixed fortunes. A morale-boosting four-wicket win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in their opener—highlighted by Gaikwad’s 53 and Rachin Ravindra’s finishing flair—had set a positive tone. However, a subsequent loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) exposed vulnerabilities in their middle order, with MS Dhoni’s late batting position raising eyebrows. Facing RR, CSK aimed to leverage their spin-heavy attack—featuring Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Noor Ahmad—on a pitch expected to assist turn.
The Barsapara Stadium, hosting its final RR game of the season, buzzed with anticipation. Known for favoring batsmen early before aiding spinners as the game progresses, the venue promised a balanced contest. With the afternoon sun beating down, the toss would prove pivotal.
The Toss and Team Line-Ups
Riyan Parag called correctly at the toss and elected to bat first, citing the dry pitch and the potential for it to slow down under lights. “We want to set a total and let our bowlers defend it,” Parag said, hinting at RR’s strategy to capitalize on their batting depth. Gaikwad, though preferring to chase, remained confident in his bowlers’ ability to restrict RR.
RR’s XI included: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (wk, as Impact Sub), Riyan Parag (c), Nitish Rana, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, and Sandeep Sharma. CSK lined up with: Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, and Khaleel Ahmed, with Matheesha Pathirana as a potential Impact Sub.
RR’s Innings: Nitish Rana’s Blitz Lights Up Guwahati
𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐚 😎
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 30, 2025
A beautiful innings of 81(36) comes to an end 👏👏
Nitish Rana thoroughly entertained tonight with his exquisite range of batting 💫
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/V2QijpWpGO#TATAIPL | #RRvCSK | @rajasthanroyals | @NitishRana_27 pic.twitter.com/8k5WrKxMdn
RR’s innings began with intent but quickly hit turbulence. Yashasvi Jaiswal, eager to break his lean patch, smashed Khaleel Ahmed for a six over midwicket in the first over but fell in the second, edging a rising delivery from Nathan Ellis to Dhoni for 12 off 8 balls. RR were 18/1 after two overs, and the early loss brought Riyan Parag to the crease.
Parag and Nitish Rana steadied the ship with a mix of caution and aggression. Parag took on Ashwin, lofting him for a six over long-off, while Rana punished Ellis with a flicked boundary through midwicket. The powerplay ended at 52/1, with Rana (28 off 17) setting the tone. However, Noor Ahmad’s introduction in the seventh over tilted the scales. The Afghan spinner deceived Parag (19 off 14) with a googly, trapping him LBW, leaving RR at 67/2.
Nitish Rana then unleashed a masterclass. Against Jadeja, he danced down the track to loft a six over long-on, and followed it with a reverse sweep off Ashwin for four. His fifty came off 27 balls, a pulled six off Khaleel Ahmed signaling RR’s intent to accelerate. Dhruv Jurel supported with a brisk 22 off 15, including a towering six off Noor, before miscuing a lofted shot to Conway at cover off Ashwin. At 112/3 after 12 overs, RR looked poised for a big total.
The middle phase saw Rana dominate. He targeted Shivam Dube’s medium pace, smashing two fours and a six in the 14th over, pushing RR past 140. However, CSK’s spinners fought back. Noor Ahmad dismissed Shimron Hetmyer (8 off 6), caught at deep midwicket, and Ashwin removed Shubham Dubey (4) with a sharp return catch. Rana’s 81 off 36—laced with 7 fours and 5 sixes—ended in the 17th over when he holed out to Hooda at long-on off Jadeja, leaving RR at 158/6.
CSK’s death bowling, led by Matheesha Pathirana (subbed in for Hooda), turned the tide. Pathirana’s pinpoint yorkers dismantled RR’s lower order. Wanindu Hasaranga (6) was bowled, Jofra Archer (2) edged to Dhoni, and Maheesh Theekshana (1) fell to a toe-crushing delivery. Sandeep Sharma’s unbeaten 14 off 8, including a late six off Ellis, lifted RR to 182/9. Noor Ahmad (2/28), Ashwin (2/32), and Pathirana (3/19) starred, restricting RR below the 200 they seemed destined for after Rana’s blitz.
CSK’s Chase: A Valiant Effort Falls Short
Chasing 183, CSK needed a solid start, and Rachin Ravindra delivered. He smashed Archer for a six over square leg in the first over, while Devon Conway played anchor. The powerplay yielded 48/0, with Ravindra (29 off 18) looking ominous. However, Sandeep Sharma struck in the seventh over, inducing an edge from Ravindra to Dhruv Jurel for 34 off 22. CSK were 60/1.
Ruturaj Gaikwad joined Conway, and the duo rebuilt steadily. Conway lofted Hasaranga for a six over midwicket, while Gaikwad drove Theekshana through cover for four. The 50-run stand came in 38 balls, but Hasaranga’s guile broke through. Conway (31 off 26) misread a googly and was stumped by Jurel, leaving CSK at 92/2 after 11 overs.
Gaikwad took charge, reaching his fifty off 36 balls with a flicked six off Sandeep. Deepak Hooda, promoted up the order, struggled against spin, falling for 9 to Hasaranga, caught at long-on. At 120/3 after 15 overs, CSK needed 63 off 30 balls—a stiff but achievable ask with Gaikwad in full flow.
The game’s decisive moment came in the 16th over. Archer, brought back, dismissed Gaikwad (63 off 44) with a bouncer that was gloved to Jurel. Shivam Dube followed two balls later, bowled by a searing yorker for 2. CSK slumped to 129/5, needing 54 off 24. Ravindra Jadeja (18* off 12) and MS Dhoni (4* off 3) tried to reignite the chase, with Jadeja smashing Theekshana for a six over long-on. However, RR’s bowlers held their nerve. Pathirana’s tight 18th over (5 runs) and Archer’s 19th (7 runs) left CSK needing 25 off the final over. Sandeep Sharma sealed the deal, conceding just 13 despite a late Jadeja boundary, as CSK finished at 171/5—11 runs short.
Key Performances and Turning Points
- Nitish Rana (81 off 36): Rana’s aggressive knock, blending finesse and power, gave RR a fighting total. His 14 boundaries (7 fours, 5 sixes) dismantled CSK’s bowling plans.
- Matheesha Pathirana (3/19): The slinger’s death-over heroics, with three wickets in the final two overs, ensured RR didn’t breach 200.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (63 off 44): The CSK skipper’s composed fifty kept the chase alive, but his dismissal in the 16th over tilted the game.
- Jofra Archer (2/28): Archer’s double strike in the 16th over—removing Gaikwad and Dube—proved the match-defining moment.
- Turning Point: The 16th over, where Archer took two wickets in three balls, shifted momentum decisively to RR, derailing CSK’s chase when they needed 63 off 30.
Post-Match Reflections
Riyan Parag lauded Rana’s knock as “the backbone” of RR’s total, crediting the bowlers for their composure in the death overs. “Jofra’s spell was clutch,” he added. Gaikwad admitted CSK’s middle order faltered under pressure, saying, “We lost momentum after the 15th over, and that cost us.” Player of the Match went to Nitish Rana for his game-changing 81.
Broader IPL 2025 Context
RR’s first win of IPL 2025 lifted them off the bottom, signaling a potential resurgence as they head to Mullanpur to face Punjab Kings next. CSK’s second loss in three games highlighted their reliance on Gaikwad and Ravindra, with questions lingering over Dhoni’s batting slot and Hooda’s role. The defeat dropped them to mid-table, intensifying the pressure ahead of their clash with Kolkata Knight Riders.
Conclusion
Match 11 of TATA IPL 2025 was a classic T20 spectacle—Rana’s fireworks, CSK’s spirited fightback, and RR’s late resilience under lights. The Barsapara Stadium witnessed a game that ebbed and flowed, ultimately rewarding RR’s belief in their total. As IPL 2025 unfolds, this encounter will be remembered as a testament to the tournament’s unpredictability, where heroes emerge, and fortunes shift in a matter of overs. Stay updated with IPL Live Cricket Score, match highlights, and latest updates.
