SRH Break the Chepauk Curse: A Historic Win Over CSK on April 2025
SRH Break the Chepauk Curse: A Historic Win Over CSK on April 25, 2025
Chasing a target of 155 might sound straightforward on paper, but in front of a packed Chepauk crowd, with the weight of history against them, SRH knew it wouldn’t be easy. The atmosphere was electric, with yellow flags waving, fans chanting, and the stadium buzzing with anticipation. CSK's home ground has always been a fortress—a place where even the best teams struggle. But on this particular evening, SRH walked in with a mission to break a long-standing jinx.
Their innings started on a wobbly note as Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the very first over. The early wicket boosted CSK’s spirits and gave them hope that history might repeat itself once again. However, Ishan Kishan had other plans.
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Ishan Kishan Anchors the Innings
In one of his more mature and responsible innings this season, Ishan Kishan played the role of the anchor. He didn’t go all guns blazing but instead focused on rotating the strike, punishing loose deliveries, and holding the innings together. His 44 runs off 34 balls were crucial in stabilizing SRH’s chase after the early loss.
What made Kishan’s innings even more special was the way he adapted to the pitch conditions. Chepauk has always been known for offering turn and variable bounce, especially in the second innings. He picked his bowlers well, respected the good deliveries, and capitalized on the weaker ones.
Kishan’s partnerships with Rahul Tripathi and later with Kamindu Mendis were vital. While Tripathi added a quick 20 before getting out, it was Mendis who proved to be the ideal partner for Kishan, rotating the strike and showing no signs of pressure.
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Kamindu Mendis and Nitish Kumar Reddy Seal the Deal
With the required run rate never spiraling out of control, the final stretch of the innings was all about composure and intelligent shot selection. Kamindu Mendis, already having impressed with the ball, showcased his all-round capabilities by scoring a composed 32 not out. He handled the CSK spinners with ease and made sure there was no collapse in the middle order.
Alongside him, Nitish Kumar Reddy played a calm hand of 19* and ensured there were no late jitters. His ability to find gaps and keep the scoreboard ticking was exactly what SRH needed at that stage.
SRH eventually chased down the target in 18.4 overs, winning the match by five wickets and sending their dugout into a celebration frenzy. This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement.
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A Win Beyond Numbers
More than just the points on the table, this victory meant a lot to the SRH franchise. For years, they had struggled to win at Chepauk—a venue where CSK have traditionally dominated. To break that curse, in a season where every win is crucial, adds emotional and psychological weight to the result.
Pat Cummins, in the post-match presentation, emphasized how much this win meant to the team. “We’ve spoken about how tough Chepauk can be, especially for visiting teams. But today, the boys showed great character. We stuck to our plans and executed well,” he said.
Cummins also credited the team’s preparation, saying they had worked hard on how to counter CSK’s spin-heavy bowling attack and planned specific strategies for key players.
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CSK’s Road Ahead
For CSK, this was a missed opportunity to strengthen their position on the points table. With experienced players not delivering as expected, the team management will have to revisit their combinations and strategies. Their batting depth is an area of concern, and without consistent contributions from the middle order, they might find it tough in the remaining matches.
Shivam Dube’s inconsistency and Moeen Ali’s struggles with form are starting to hurt the team. While Ruturaj Gaikwad has been solid at the top, he needs better support from the rest. The absence of MS Dhoni’s finishing magic is also being felt in crunch moments.
Bowling-wise, Tushar Deshpande showed promise with his pace and control, but the spin attack lacked bite. The absence of an in-form Ravindra Jadeja or an X-factor spinner like Imran Tahir from previous seasons was evident. CSK may need to consider bringing in fresh options or taking a bold call on team composition.
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SRH on the Rise
With this crucial win, SRH have improved their standings and momentum. The team now looks more balanced, with contributions coming from all departments. The leadership of Pat Cummins has been calm and proactive, and players like Harshal Patel, Ishan Kishan, and Kamindu Mendis stepping up at the right time only adds to the team’s confidence.
Their fielding has improved significantly, and the bowlers have started executing plans with precision. The younger players in the squad are also gaining confidence, and the bench strength is looking promising. SRH now have their eyes set on a playoff spot, and if they can maintain this level of performance, they could be genuine title contenders.
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Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz
As expected, social media was flooded with reactions from fans and former players. Hashtags like #ChepaukCurseBroken and #SRHvsCSK trended for hours after the match. Fans praised Kishan’s maturity and Mendis’ all-round brilliance, while many questioned CSK’s tactics and lack of aggression.
Former cricketers like Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh lauded SRH’s disciplined performance and commented on how this could be a turning point in their IPL campaign. Meanwhile, memes and jokes about CSK’s fortress being breached brought a lighter tone to the post-match discussions.
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Final Thoughts
The SRH vs CSK clash on April 25, 2025, was more than just another IPL game—it was a battle of grit, redemption, and making history. For SRH, this win will be remembered as a turning point in their campaign and a match where they defied the odds. For CSK, it’s a wake-up call that even at home, complacency can prove costly.
Cricket fans witnessed a great spectacle—flashes of brilliance, smart strategies, and emotional highs and lows. And that’s what IPL is all about: unexpected heroes, dramatic finishes, and stories that stay with us long after the stumps are uprooted.
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