Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals square up for Match 62 of the IPL 2025 season in Delhi. Notably, the match was originally set to be held at the Chepauk in Chennai, but a schedule rearrangement due to the IPL’s suspension in between moved the game to Delhi. RR and CSK are at the bottom of the pile, and this is a clash where they play for pride and have an eye to finish on a high. Another crucial factor in the CSK vs RR clash is an eye for the future. For CSK, several youngsters have shown that the side needs to move on from aged names. For RR, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is the biggest positive.
RR, who are playing their final game, will finish last if CSK win. For CSK, they will need to get past the line to gain confidence ahead of their final game of the season. CSK have four overseas players available, and they could all feature. For RR, they too battled with injuries and had to makeshift players.
Another crucial factor ahead of the CSK vs RR clash is the woeful form of ace spinners R Ashwin and Wanindu Hasaranga. In Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, they could suffer yet again, given the friendly batting surface. With the average score being close to 200 here this season, bowlers will have a tough evening. In terms of the H2H record, CSK lead RR 16-15 from 31 matches.
Notably, RR have been the worst bowling unit this season whereas CSK have struggled with the bat. So it remains to be seen how they show improvement and make a contest out of this clash at the Kotla.
Ahead of a stern contest between two sides who have had dismal seasons, we decode 5 key player battles.
Sanju Samson vs Ravindra Jadeja
RR skipper Sanju Samson is closing in on 4000 runs for the franchise in IPL, as per ESPNcricinfo. Samson, who owns 3986 runs for the Royals and 4663 runs in total, has struggled versus CSK. He has scored 249 runs from 17 matches at just 15.56. Samson will be tested by CSK spinner Ravindra Jadeja. Across 10 IPL innings, Samson owns an average of 27. He has scored 81 runs from 62 balls, striking at 130.64. He has been dismissed thrice. Notably, Jadeja has bowled 23 dot balls in this contest. In IPL 2025, Jadeja has been poor with the ball, picking 8 scalps from 12 games at a dismal 35.
Khaleel Ahmed vs Yashasvi Jaiswal
CSK pacer Khaleel Ahmed has been one of the best performers for the Men in Yellow this season. Khaleel has picked 14 wickets from 12 matches at 28.21. He will best an in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is RR’s leading scorer in IPL 2025 with 523 runs at 43.58. He has smashed six fifties. In the IPL, former DC pacer Khaleel has dismissed Jaiswal twice across 4 innings. Jaiswal averages 17, having scored 34 runs from 17 balls (SR: 200). Khaleel has bowled 7 dot balls in this duel. He has smashed the left-arm pacer for 8 fours.
Noor Ahmad vs Riyan Parag
CSK’s left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad owns the 2nd most wickets in IPL 2025. He has 20 scalps under his belt at 17.25. He has two four-firs under his belt. Afghanistan’s Noor will be tested by Riyan Parag, who is a solid player of spin. Across 2 IPL innings, Parag has smashed Noor for 48 runs from 28 balls, striking at 171.42. He has hit two fours and 4 sixes in addition to facing 7 dot balls. Noor is yet to dismiss Parag. In IPL 2025, RR’s Parag has scored 390 runs at 35.45.
Tushar Deshpande vs MS Dhoni
Former CSK man Tushar Deshpande could come up against his former skipper MS Dhoni in the death overs. Deshpande remains a vital cog for RR in the absence of Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma, and he will be aiming to keep Dhoni at bay. Across 1 IPL inning, Deshpande bowled 4 balls to Dhoni, conceding 12 runs. Dhoni launched the pacer for a four and a six in addition to 2 singles. In IPL 2025, Deshpande owns 8 scalps from 9 matches at 38-plus. His economy rate is close to 11, which highlights his struggle. Meanwhile, Dhoni owns 180 runs from 12 matches this season, striking at 140-plus.
Wanindu Hasaranga vs Shivam Dube
Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga will hope to weave his magic in RR’s final match of the campaign. Hasaranga failed to live up to expectations this season. Across 10 games, he owns 10 scalps at over 34-plus. His economy rate of 9.29 is also on the higher side. Hasaranga will have his task cut out versus Shivam Dube. CSK’s Dube has fared well against Hasaranga in the IPL. Across 3 innings, Dube owns 43 runs versus Hasaranga and has been dismissed once. His strike is 215-plus. Hasaranga has bowled 7 dot balls in this contest.
