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On a hot Monday night at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, MS Dhoni once again turned back the clock, finishing off a tense chase as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) beat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 5 wickets in Match 30 of IPL 2025. The chase of 167 was anchored by a gritty 43 from Shivam Dube, before Dhoni stole the show with a lightning-quick 26 off 11 balls*, showcasing classic finishing flair.
The win strengthens CSK’s standing on the points table and puts their campaign in top gear, while LSG will rue missed chances and a lack of death-over execution.
First Innings Recap: LSG Stumble to 166/7
LSG’s innings never quite took off, thanks to disciplined CSK bowling and impactful fielding.
Top Performers – LSG Batting
- Rishabh Pant: 63 (49), 4 fours, 4 sixes
- Mitchell Marsh: 30 (25)
- Abdul Samad: 20 (11)
After early wickets of Aiden Markram (6) and Nicholas Pooran (8), Pant tried to rebuild with Marsh. However, regular strikes by Jadeja (2/20) and Pathirana (2/45) ensured LSG couldn’t build momentum.
Key Moments – CSK Bowling & Fielding
- Tripathi’s diving catch to dismiss Markram set the tone early.
- Nicholas Pooran’s LBW, given after DRS, showed Anshul Kamboj’s precision and Dhoni’s judgement.
- Rishabh Pant’s dismissal at 63 was the turning point, caught by Dhoni off Pathirana in the 19th over.
- Abdul Samad’s run-out by Dhoni in the same over was pure glovework genius.
Final Score: 166/7 (20 overs)
CSK’s Chase: From Collapse to Comeback
CSK began the chase well but stumbled midway:
| Batter | Runs (Balls) | SR | Dismissed By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaik Rasheed | 27 (19) | 142.10 | Avesh Khan |
| Rachin Ravindra | 37 (22) | 168.18 | Markram |
| Rahul Tripathi | 9 (10) | 90.00 | Ravi Bishnoi |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 7 (11) | 63.63 | Ravi Bishnoi |
| Vijay Shankar | 9 (8) | 112.50 | Digvesh Rathi |
| Shivam Dube | 43* (37) | 116.21 | Not Out |
| MS Dhoni | 26* (11) | 236.36 | Not Out |
At 96/4 in 12.2 overs, CSK seemed to be slipping. But then came the revival act from Dube and Dhoni, whose unbeaten 57-run partnership off just 28 balls sealed the match.
Shivam Dube: CSK’s New Backbone
Coming in as an Impact Player substitute for Pathirana, Dube once again showed why CSK trusts him with responsibility:
- Took time to settle and then accelerated intelligently.
- Targeted pacers with clean hitting.
- Held one end firm as wickets tumbled.
- Played a true finisher’s support role while letting Dhoni take over late.
MS Dhoni: The Finisher Lives On
When Dhoni walked in, CSK needed 28 from 16. What followed was a Dhoni classic:
- 2 boundaries in his first 3 balls.
- Picked gaps and stole doubles with game awareness.
- Hit a six and a four off Avesh Khan in the 19th over.
- Finished the match with a boundary in the 20th, drawing roars from a stadium that was chanting his name every ball.
“When Dhoni bats like this, you can’t help but watch in awe. He makes chasing look effortless,” said Harsha Bhogle post-match.
LSG Bowling Review
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravi Bishnoi | 4 | 20 | 2 | 6.00 |
| Avesh Khan | 3.3 | 30 | 1 | 9.14 |
| Digvesh Rathi | 4 | 23 | 1 | 5.75 |
| Shardul Thakur | 4 | 46 | 0 | 11.50 |
| Akash Deep | 2 | 13 | 0 | 6.50 |
While Ravi Bishnoi was excellent with his twin strikes, others — especially Thakur and Avesh — crumbled under pressure in the death overs.
Turning Points of the Match
- Rahul Tripathi’s dismissal (76/3): Gave LSG hope.
- Jadeja’s wicket (96/4): Bishnoi threatened a collapse.
- Dube-Dhoni partnership: Shifted momentum back decisively.
- Dhoni’s 15-run 19th over against Avesh: Broke LSG’s last line of defense.
Post-Match Reactions
- Dhoni (Player of the Match): “It’s about trusting the process and knowing when to pull the trigger. Dube played the anchor role beautifully.”
- Shivam Dube: “I’m just happy to contribute. Dhoni bhai made it easy at the end.”
- Justin Langer (LSG coach): “We let it slip in the last 4 overs. Can’t afford that in a league this tight.”
CSK’s Position & What’s Next
With this win, CSK move into the top four of the points table, and their net run rate receives a solid boost. Their balance, experience, and strategic use of the Impact Player rule continue to make them dangerous.
LSG vs CSK Was a Masterclass in Composure
This match had everything: wickets, tension, game-changing partnerships, and a Dhoni finish. CSK’s ability to recover from mid-innings slumps and execute a calm chase under pressure sets them apart yet again. For LSG, it’s a lesson in defending tight totals and holding nerve in crunch overs.
As long as Dhoni is on the field, CSK will remain a team that can never be counted out — and Shivam Dube’s rise means they’re not just living on legacy anymore, but building a formidable present.
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