Rajasthan Royals Outclass Chennai Super Kings: Vaibhav Suryavanshi's Heroics Steal the IPL 2025 Spotlight

Vaibhav Suryavanshi: The Teenage Sensation Who Smashed CSK

Just when you think you’ve seen it all in the IPL, along comes a 14-year-old who sends ripples across the cricketing world. Vaibhav Suryavanshi isn’t even old enough to drive, but on a steamy night in Delhi, he drove Rajasthan Royals to a six-wicket triumph over the Chennai Super Kings with the kind of aggression you rarely see, let alone from a kid barely in his teens. His 57 from just 33 balls wasn’t just flashy—it was clinical, snuffing out any hopes CSK harbored from the moment he walked in at a tricky phase of the chase.

This was no lucky knock either. Suryavanshi walked in with the Royals needing stability after quick wickets, but he brought so much more: he found gaps where others saw fielders, punished loose deliveries, and ran with intent. Marking his fourth Player of the Match performance of the season, he’s gone from being a curiosity in the squad to their biggest story. The kid turned what should’ve been a nervy chase into a highlight reel for the ages.

But it wasn’t just Suryavanshi who shined. Sanju Samson, the ever-reliable skipper, chipped in with 41 patient runs, while Yashasvi Jaiswal kept the asking rate in check, smashing 36 off the new ball. Dhruv Jurel too, provided crucial support in the finishing straight, making sure RR crossed the finish line without breaking a sweat. Together, they knocked off the 188-run target with 17 balls to spare, a statement if there ever was one.

CSK’s Top Order Woes and Bowling Letdown

If you only looked at the scoreboard, you’d think 188 was pretty decent. But Chennai Super Kings’ batting was anything but smooth. Right from the start, they felt the heat after being sent in by Samson, losing both Devon Conway and Urvil Patel within the first two overs. The culprit? Yudhvir Singh Charak, who bowled with fire, pushing CSK onto the back foot before the blink of an eye. His double strike—first removing Conway for 10, then Patel for a duck—left CSK scrambling at 12 for 2.

Ayush Mhatre attempted to hold the innings together with a brisk 43, but when he fell to Tushar Deshpande, panic set in. The middle order wilted as Ashwin and Jadeja departed quickly, taking CSK from shaky to near-crisis at 78 for 5. Only some plucky runs from the lower order—really, just determined swings and a bit of luck—helped them limp to 188. Charak and Akash Madhwal took three wickets each, keeping the CSK lineup on the leash throughout.

With the ball, CSK just couldn’t apply enough pressure. Their bowlers found no rhythm, unable to break Suryavanshi and Samson’s stand when it mattered most. By the time the Royals crossed the halfway mark, the contest felt more ceremonial than competitive.

The loss has left one of IPL’s most iconic teams facing an unfamiliar threat: the wooden spoon. Stuck at the bottom of the points table and now needing a miracle against Gujarat Titans to avoid finishing dead last, CSK’s campaign feels more like damage control than playoff push. For Rajasthan Royals, though, the win capped off a season where a 14-year-old proved age is no barrier if your talent is big enough.