It was an evening of emotion, nostalgia, and a long-awaited triumph. Under the glowing lights of the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Delhi Capitals ended a 15-year winless streak at Chepauk, scripting a memorable 25-run victory over Chennai Super Kings in the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League.
What made the night even more special was the rare presence of MS Dhoni’s family in the stands—his parents Pan Singh and Devika Devi, along with wife Sakshi and daughter Ziva, were spotted cheering from the VIP box. But the fairy-tale finish many hoped for didn’t quite unfold.
Dhoni’s Calm Resistance Not Enough
Chasing 184, CSK were in deep trouble early on, collapsing to 74/5. That’s when the crowd rose again, welcoming the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni to the crease. With Chepauk roaring in anticipation, Dhoni played with characteristic composure, finishing unbeaten on 30 off 26 balls. But the task had already grown too steep. The required rate soared, and despite the maestro’s presence, CSK fell short by 25 runs.
It was a performance that embodied Dhoni’s grit, but also highlighted Chennai’s increasing over-reliance on his experience to steer them through troubled waters.
KL Rahul Leads Delhi’s Charge
Earlier in the afternoon, DC skipper Axar Patel won the toss and chose to bat—a decision that turned out to be spot on. KL Rahul was in sublime touch, smashing 77 off 48 deliveries, reaching his half-century in just 33 balls. His innings was filled with elegance and precise shot selection, and his partnership with Abishek Porel (33) ensured Delhi had a solid platform to launch from.
The visitors set a competitive total of 184, a score that looked even more daunting once CSK began to falter with the bat.
CSK’s Slide Continues
This marks back-to-back losses for CSK, who had started the season with promise but now find themselves slipping. Their batting, though stacked with talent, appears inconsistent—apart from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube, the Indian core has yet to find rhythm.
Bowling has also been a mixed bag. Noor Ahmed continues to impress, but the rest of the attack has lacked bite and discipline, particularly in the middle and death overs.
Delhi’s Dream Start
For Delhi Capitals, however, the story is one of resurgence and rhythm. With two wins in as many games, they now look like a team that has found its groove early. The balance in their squad—steady top-order, dependable middle, and variety in their bowling—has begun to yield results.
And now, with this landmark win at Chepauk, they’ve buried a 15-year-old ghost, and done it with style.
While Chennai will regroup and look to iron out their flaws, Delhi walk away with a historic win and growing confidence. As for Dhoni, though the scoreboard didn’t reflect a win, the cheers that echoed across Chepauk as he walked off said it all—the legend still holds the heart of the nation.
