LUCKNOW: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) snapped their five-match losing streak with a gritty five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Chasing a modest target of 167, CSK found themselves in trouble at 111 for 5 after 15 overs. But a composed partnership between Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni turned the tide. Dube remained unbeaten on 43 off 37 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes), while Dhoni finished the chase with a fiery 26* off just 11 deliveries, including four boundaries and a six.
The new opening combination of Rachin Ravindra and Shaik Rasheed gave CSK a promising start, but a middle-order collapse nearly derailed the chase. Fortunately for CSK, LSG’s ineffective death bowling proved costly.
“This means a lot. Losing five in a row — that’s not CSK,” said Shivam Dube after the win. “I’ve been playing here for three years. I wanted to bat through and finish the game tonight.”
Dube credited Dhoni for lifting the pressure. “When he came in and started smashing the bowlers, it got easier for me. I decided I’d only go for the big shots if the ball was in my zone. Their bowlers stuck to their plans well.”
Pant’s Comeback Knock Not Enough
Earlier, Rishabh Pant found some much-needed form, anchoring LSG’s innings with a hard-fought 63 off 49 balls. His knock powered the team to 166 for 7 after an uncertain start. Pant initially struggled for rhythm but found momentum later, sharing a vital 53-run stand with Abdul Samad (20 off 16 balls) for the fifth wicket.
Pant’s innings featured some trademark innovation, including a reverse scoop for six off Jamie Overton. However, he was tied down by CSK spinners, especially Noor Ahmad, who bowled a tight spell of 4-0-13-0.
It was the return of pace that allowed Pant to break free — he launched two sixes off Matheesha Pathirana in the 18th over, the second a stunning one-handed pull over square leg to bring up his half-century.
But Pant’s efforts weren’t enough to stop CSK, who finally found their rhythm in IPL 2025 — and with Dhoni in vintage form, the men in yellow may just be getting started.
