Right then, that is it from this thriller where Chennai Super Kings just edged past Lucknow Super Giants. Next up in the IPL 2025 is a big clash between the Punjab Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders on 15th April, Tuesday. That will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as you know, you can join us early for all the build-up to the game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

MS Dhoni, the victorious skipper of Chennai Super Kings, is also the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He shares that it's always good to win a game, and a result like this gives a lot of confidence to the entire team. He mentions that it was a tough contest, but he's glad they ended up on the winning side and hopes it brings some momentum going forward. Speaking about the batting, Dhoni tells that they haven’t quite got the starts they’ve wanted as a unit, especially at home. He feels the slower nature of the Chennai wickets could be a reason but points out that they’ve done well in the powerplay when playing away on quicker surfaces. Dhoni also says the bowling unit has been performing better than the batting lately. Mentions that they have made a few changes to include more options for the first six overs, and he believes this attack looks more balanced and gives the captain greater flexibility. Shares that Shaik Rasheed has been batting really well in the nets this year, handling both pacers and spinners with confidence. Adds that it's just the beginning for the young batter, but he clearly has the potential to dominate attacks. Says that he was a bit surprised to get the award, especially with players like Noor, Khaleel, and Kamboj also putting in strong performances.

Presentation Time...

Rishabh Pant, the captain of Lucknow Super Giants, shares that the team was probably 10–15 runs short. He mentions that they kept losing wickets whenever they seemed to build momentum, which made it tough to push on. He also tells that while the pitch was generally good for batting, it did stop a little at times but they still felt they could’ve added at least 10 more runs to the total. Shares that he’s feeling much better with every game and is slowly getting into rhythm, taking it one match at a time. On the bowling front, he says they did consider bringing Ravi Bishnoi on at the death but opted for a different plan. Pant adds that the way the bowlers pulled things back after CSK's start is a big positive to take forward.

Shivam Dube is in for a chat. Shares that losing five games in a row is not what Chennai Super Kings stand for, so this win was especially important for him and the team. Mentions that his plan was to bat till the end and take the team over the line, and he’s happy to have done just that. With wickets falling at the other end, Dube tells that he focused on taking the game deep rather than changing his approach. He says it wasn’t just about mindset, but reading the situation and understanding what the game demanded. He also adds that MS Dhoni took the pressure off him. Looking ahead, Dube says the team will carry the positives from this performance into their next big clash against Mumbai.

Lucknow Super Giants will be a bit disappointed with their overall bowling performance, though credit to them for making a real contest out of it. They were under the pump during the Powerplay, with CSK’s openers going hard, but Ravi Bishnoi brought them back into the game with a brilliant spell that included two vital wickets. Aiden Markram and Digvesh Singh chipped in with some tidy overs to keep the pressure on, but Shardul Thakur had an off day, and the rest of the pace attack couldn’t quite find their rhythm. In the end, that lack of penetration and control proved costly, bringing their winning run to an end.

Earlier in the match, Lucknow Super Giants managed to post their lowest first-inning total of the season, but it was still a competitive one on a tricky surface. Skipper Rishabh Pant showed great grit and determination, anchoring the innings with a well-crafted fifty. He was supported by handy cameos from Mitchell Marsh, Ayush Badoni, and Abdul Samad, who kept the scoreboard ticking. Chennai Super Kings’ bowlers were right on the money, and their fielding finally clicked into gear. Jadeja stood out with a couple of crucial wickets, while Noor, despite going wicketless, bowled a miserly spell that built pressure throughout. Matheesha Pathirana struck twice in the final over, and Khaleel Ahmed along with Anshul Kamboj picked up a wicket each to round off a disciplined bowling display.

Chennai Super Kings openers laid a solid foundation with a steady 52-run stand, setting the tone early on. Debutant Shaik Rasheed caught the eye with a promising cameo, and Rachin Ravindra looked fluent at the crease too. However, neither could build on their starts and were dismissed at key moments. Rahul Tripathi, despite being given a lifeline, couldn’t make it count. Ravindra Jadeja was promoted up the order and combined his composure with Shivam Dube’s powerful hitting to keep the momentum going. Though a mini-collapse in the middle order gave LSG a glimmer of hope, Dube’s crucial 43 and a fiery finishing burst from MS Dhoni sealed the deal for the visitors.

CSK ARE BACK TO WINNING WAYS! It went down to the wire, but Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni kept their cool to take the side home. After a tough stretch of five consecutive losses, they've finally broken the streak and picked up their much-needed second win of the season.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Avesh Khan. Can he defend 4 runs here? Also, Lucknow Super Giants have been handed a penalty for a slow over-rate. They can only have four fielders outside the circle.

Avesh Khan is off the field for the moment. He is receiving medical treatment on his left hand on the sidelines.