CSK and RR Want to End Terrible IPL 2025 with a Bang

The IPL 2025 campaign has been a disappointing one for Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. Both teams have been out of the playoffs hunt and are currently playing only to avoid standing at the bottom of the points table. This match between the two here at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi will not do anything for either side in the standings perhaps but it is still important since each side will not want to finish the season with the wooden spoon. There are no overall stakes involved perhaps, but individual players on both teams will be hoping to make a big impact.

Chennai Super Kings have experienced one of their worst seasons in IPL history. In their 18 years playing in the league, this campaign is for all the wrong reasons. The team has been anything but its previous dominant self and has struggled to make consistent performances. Being devoid of key overseas players such as Sam Curran and Jamie Overton due to the suspension of the IPL has not aided it either. Their pairing has appeared unsorted and their batting division has not quite clicked as fans have grown accustomed to throughout the years. Yet batsmen such as Ravindra Jadeja have attempted to rise to the occasion with the bat particularly after being elevated to number four. He has averaged more than 58 with a firm strike rate but his inability to dominate against spin bowling is still a worry. His strike rate against spin since 2020 has been around 102 which gives Rajasthan Royals a possible tactical edge.

On the other hand Rajasthan Royals have had a different journey but with the same disappointing outcome. They have been in positions to win at least four of their matches but somehow let them slip away. Many of their losses came while chasing targets which is a pattern this season. Actually, they have lost eight of nine matches while chasing including one loss in a Super Over. No team has lost more chase games in an IPL season. Their bowling has not been great particularly in the spin section but they can attempt challenging Jadeja with Riyan Parag's part-time offspin. Rajasthan may also bank on players such as Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal to provide a sound platform with the bat. But Sanju Samson has failed against some bowlers such as Nathan Ellis who has sent him back twice in only 11 balls and conceded just 12 runs in that contest.

The Arun Jaitley Stadium has witnessed big scores in the recent past. Only a few days back Gujarat Titans successfully chased down 200 runs very easily on this ground. Though pitch conditions can vary a bit it is still likely to be good for aggressive batting. A traditional but aggressive strategy would likely yield results here. Both RR and CSK possess some big hitters who could look to take the most out of the conditions. Players such as Shivam Dube Dewald Brevis and MS Dhoni for CSK and batsmen such as Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel for RR will be important.

Although the outcome of this match won't significantly alter either team in the tournament success context it remains a pivotal moment for individual players to demonstrate their worth. Some of them will be seeking to book their place for next season and others to end the season on a confident note. For the teams themselves, this match would be an opportunity to experiment with young players or new combinations. The fans will also get to experience a more laid-back and brash kind of cricket since there is not much qualification pressure.

Looking at the history between the two teams CSK holds a slight edge with 16 wins compared to RR's 14. However the recent record favors Rajasthan who have won 7 out of the last 9 encounters between the two sides since 2020. This recent dominance could give the Royals a psychological advantage but in a game like this where both teams are out of the tournament current form and hunger to finish well might matter more than history.

Fazalhaq Farooqi who has not taken a wicket so far this season may be looking to snap that sequence. While young guns from both sides can look forward to making their presence felt on a big stage even though the game is out of the playoff context. Having nothing to lose both the teams can approach the game with an open mind and give the public a treat in what will be their final game of the season.

As the 2025 IPL season comes to an end CSK and RR will both be keen to sign off in style. While it is beyond their grasp to win the title avoiding finishing at the bottom of the table and closing the campaign with a victory can still be important. Whether it is a closely contested affair or an open one-sided game packed with big shots and outrageous manoeuvres this encounter will have its own tale to tell.