The IPL 2025 weekend smashed all the viewership records and gave us an idea of how much each and every individual loves the tournament.

Viwership Details:

• 25.3 Crore watched on Star Sports.
• 137 Crore watch on JioHotstar, a clear indicator of the growing trend of online watching.
• Total 5000 Crore minutes were spent by fans watching the matches, an indication of how much is being followed.

One of the major highlights of the weekend was Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 23, 2025.The game was awaited with great anticipation due to the rivalry between the teams as well as between the two star players. The result was gripping, and it was also one of the season's most-watched games.

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The weekend was not merely about the numbers alone; it also witnessed wonderfull performances by players such as the likes of MS Dhoni (CSK) and Rohit Sharma (MI). The game was filled with plenty of thrill and excitement for the audience.

Record-breaking viewer ratings show the manner in which IPL just seems to grow and grow each year. The opening weekend alone is proof that the tournament is a humongous component of world and Indian cricket culture. With even more nail-biting games to look forward to, the fans hardly have the patience to find out how the season turns out. The competition level will be stepped up with each round that passes, and the audience will be stuck to the TV sets. IPL 2025 will definitely be one of the best seasons so far.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, an iconic figure in the cricket world, has recently been in the news sharing his views on the changing mindset of the modern-day batsman in a very open discussion. The former Indian captain and the Chennai Super Kings player, who is currently 43 years old, places the key emphasis on the way players of this generation redefine risk-taking in the sport by combining the traditional cricketing shots with innovative strokes for staying on top in the game.

"The batters have started to prefer playing risky games," said Dhoni. This was the most remarkable change of attitude he pointed out. He observed that the contemporary batsmen have the confidence to use the proper technique to execute excellent big strokes instead of cultivating the unorthodox methods. According to Dhoni, the merger of discipline and creativity has generated a new era of shot-making. “They have the faith that with the proper cricketing shots, they can take the big shots, and they are also confidently coming out with different shot selections,” he elaborated.

THE REFLEXES OF MS DHONI AT 43. 🥶

- 0.12S for that Sky stumping. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Pl50olc1od

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 23, 2025

Also Read: IPL 2025 viewership trends: KKR vs. RCB draws more attention than CSK vs. MI

Dhoni pointed to specific examples of this evolution, like the reverse scoop against fast bowlers, sweeps, and reverse sweeps against pacers—those were the shots that were once viewed as quite risky but now have become quite common. It is not just a fashion statement but a must in the swift-moving cricketing industry of our time, noted he. “I’m no different; I have to adapt as well,” Dhoni confessed while referring back to his old days as a player who finished the game lower down the order. "This is what is required of me for where I am batting. You have to try and stay relevant."

Dhoni's observations are a testimony to his commitment to keeping pace with the game, even as he moves towards the end of his career, which has been brilliant. His skill to be reborn with time and, at the same time, to be a role model to the next generation of cricketers sets him apart as one of the foremost creative minds in the domain.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most thrilling cricket competition in the globe. Fans of their favorite teams can't wait every year to witness their teams' performances. Some teams, though, have had a poor run in the season-opener match. Let's examine the record for the longest sequence of losing the season-opening game in IPL history.

Mumbai Indians – 13 Seasons (2013-2025) Mumbai Indians (MI) holds the record for the longest streak of losing the inaugural game of IPL. From 2013 to 2025, they lost their initial match. In spite of that, MI remained one of the most successful teams in IPL, winning numerous championships. This peculiar phenomenon of losing the first match has never been a stumbling block for their performance in the second half of the tournament.

Sunrisers Hyderabad – 6 Seasons (2019-2024) Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) also saw a prolonged stint of losing the first match of the season for six years consecutively between 2019 and 2024. Even though they performed well in some seasons, they have not been able to begin their campaign on a winning note

Delhi Capitals – 6 Seasons (2013-2018) Delhi Capitals (DC) suffered the same during 2013-2018, losing their opening game for six successive seasons. It was an ill-fated period for the team, as they could not be consistent in the IPL.

Punjab Kings – 5 Seasons (2008-2012) Punjab Kings (formerly known as Kings XI Punjab) experienced a five-year run of first-match losses from 2008 to 2012. While they had good performances in various seasons, their tournament beginning was usually a disappointment.

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Other Streaks of Note

• Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lost their first match in three successive seasons (2021-2023).
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) also experienced a three-season sequence (2017-2019).
•  Rajasthan Royals (RR) also had a similar sequence of struggles from 2008 to 2010.
• Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lost their opening match in two consecutive seasons (2011-2012).
• Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) lost their opening match in 2024.
• Gujarat Titans (GT) never lost their opening match in a season ever since their arrival.

A controversial video from the lethargic match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) has gone viral, with fans accusing players from CSK of possible ball tampering. In the video, Ruturaj Gaikwad appears to be manipulating the ball while Khaleel Ahmed makes an attempt to conceal it. It didn't take long for this video clip to spread across Twitter, with many users suggesting that foul play might have been involved and some even calling for an inquiry.

Pleural phase further on in the match, and many fans and commentators alike began to notice the peculiar activities of the two players. Despite no formal contracts from either the relevant IPL teams or CSK’s social media, the rest of the world was flooded with opinions, memes, and even aggressive arguments regarding the purported manipulation.

CSK vs. MI: IPL MATCH NO 3

Viral Video Sparks Ball-Tampering:-

Ball Tempering 👀👀.

What were they hiding ??#CSKvsMIpic.twitter.com/E2MLMvcdIM

— RCB Xtra. (@Rcb_Xtra) March 24, 2025

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CSK fans came to the defense of their players, stating that it was an unremarkable and harmless incident that shouldn't have hit a level of global chaos, but even MI fans who are deemed neutral want answers, and the demand for a proper investigation only continues to grow. The balance of power lies with the cricketing bodies, who now face enormous pressure to sift through the footage to check for tampering and provide answers to these allegations.

Singer and music composer Anirudh Ravichander performed an exhilarating live performance before the match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at Chepauk Stadium, and the stage was just right for the rest of the night.

Being an ardent CSK and MS Dhoni follower, Anirudh performed his hit numbers such as Hukum, Badass, Arabic Kuthu, and Aaluma Doluma. The crowd was on their feet, clapping, dancing, and singing in unison with each beat.

One of the evening's highlights was Hukum being performed by Anirudh, with the whole stadium singing along. He also rocked the stage with Badass from the movie Leo, building up the tension before the main match.

Anirudh Performing Aaluma Doluma while Dhoni gives a cameo 😂🔥 #WhistlePodu

pic.twitter.com/Ssu6ydhvn4

— CSK Fans Army™ (@CSKFansArmy) March 23, 2025

Anirudh Live Performance of Hukum at Chepauk 💛 pic.twitter.com/Faj5ehkVzh

— 🎰 (@StanMSD) March 23, 2025

we were robbed so bad😭#Anirudh #Hukum #IPL2025 https://t.co/MuQxx7GiPq pic.twitter.com/rA1rEDDhmj

— Λ★ (@AbijithT7) March 23, 2025

ALSO SEE: Watch: Vintage Dhoni Moment as He Enters to Finish Off MI at Chepauk

A special moment came when Dhoni briefly appeared during Aaluma Doluma, eliciting loud applause from the crowd. Anirudh had also practiced the previous day at the stadium to prepare for the big match.

His performance infused additional energy into an already thrilling matchday, and it was a night to remember for CSK fans in Chennai.

Although being one of the most prosperous IPL teams, the Mumbai Indians have not been successful in their first match for more than a decade. Mumbai Indians lost their opening match one after another each of these years, which led to a slow start in the tournament. Last season proved to be another failed attempt when MI lost to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025, the same trend persisted.

MI’s Opening Match Defeats (2013–2025):-

Here’s a look at MI’s first-match losses over the years:

• 2013 – Lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 2 runs
• 2014 – Lost to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 41 runs.
• 2015 – Lost to KKR by 7 wickets.
• 2016 – Lost to Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) by 9 wickets.
• 2017 – Lost to RPS by 7 wickets.
• 2018 – Lost to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 1 wicket.
• 2019 – Lost to Delhi Capitals (DC) by 37 runs.
• 2020 – Lost to CSK by 5 wickets.
• 2021 – Lost to RCB by 2 wickets.
• 2022 – Lost to DC by 4 wickets.
• 2023 – Lost to RCB by 8 wickets.
• 2024 – Lost to Gujarat Titans (GT) by 6 runs.
• 2025 – Lost to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 5 wickets.

Mumbai Indians have lost their opening game in,

2008
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025 😳 pic.twitter.com/fQ7mOTjuzk

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 23, 2025

ALSO READ:-Watch: MS dhoni hit Deepak Chahar by bat

Impact of the Losing Streak:-

Despite the defeats, MI found their way and performed well in later rounds. In 2023, they made it to the playoffs, while in 2024, they were the last in the ranking. MI is willing to make an effort to show a good performance in the following years as IPL 2025 is close to starting.

CSK and MI have a rich history in IPL. Whenever these two franchises play, there is always thrill and excitement all around; though the rivalry between these two teams has pencil ways where Mi has a slight edge over Csk, that doesn't mean Csk has battled down easily. It is the same as in the case of today's match too, where these two teams played really competitive cricket, which was loved by every cricket fan. 

Both the team captains were at Chepauk ground, where Mi regular captain Hardik Pandya was banned due to slow overrate in the past season, so he had to serve the ban today in phis lace of him. Indian captain Surya Kumar Yadav captained the Mi side. Csk won the toss and elected to field first in the slow sluggish pitch. 

Read More: Mumbai Indians vs Csk Playing 11 Match 3

MI With A Show 

MI kicked off their batting with Rohit and Reckelton at the crease. Things started off a bit shaky when Rohit Sharma was dismissed by Khaleel Ahmad on just his third delivery; he tried to flick it to the leg side, but it went straight to Shivam Dube instead. Reckelton then stepped up to the plate, hitting three fantastic boundaries to pick up the pace! However, Khaleel Ahmad struck again and took down his stumps. Next in was Will Jacks, but Ashwin quickly sent him back as well. With Surya and Tilak now at the crease, they really focused on stabilizing the innings after those early wickets.

Surya Kumar Yadav and Tilak made a steady comeback, but when they attempted to accelerate, Surya was stumped by MS Dhoni, who executed a lightning-fast stumping with a remarkable reaction time of just 12 seconds. Surya scored 29 runs, hitting 2 boundaries and 1 six. After his dismissal, Tilak also tried to increase the scoring rate but was out LBW to Noor Ahmad. The other batsmen fell early as well, but in the end, Deepak Chahar delivered some vital hits, helping the team reach a defendable total of 155 runs.

 Read More:  DC Playing 11 vs Lsg Match 4

Csk tricky Chase And Win

CSK faced an early shock in their chase when Deepak Chahar dismissed opener Rahul Tripathi for just 2 runs after facing 3 balls. Later, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra stepped up to take on the responsibility, forming a strong 50-run partnership. Ruturaj then completed a well-earned half-century. However, after that, CSK faced another setback when Vignesh Puthur removed Gaikwad, followed by Shivam Dube losing his wicket shortly after.

Deepak Hooda came in but didn’t quite find his rhythm and went out early, and then Sam Curran followed suit. Luckily, Rachin Ravindra was there to hold things together! Jadeja also gave it a good shot, but he soon had to leave the field as well. At that point, CSK was looking pretty good with Dhoni stepping in to bat. In the end, Rachin really sealed the deal for CSK, leading them to their first win on home turf, What an exciting match. 

With IPL 2025 going on, the issue of whether or not MS Dhoni will retire after this season has become a popular issue. Lately, Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was asked about Dhoni's future during a chat on the YouTube persian Ash ki Baat. His reaction has raised debates again among fans and analysts.  

Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been active in both the Indian and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teams when Dhoni was a captain, was asked the question of whether "2025 will be the last IPL season for the legendary wicketkeeper". His actual response, as seen from a viral clip, but it is a fact that the issue of Dhoni's retirement continues to pose a question, and the matter remains uncertain.  

Also Read: Sunrisers Hyderabad Rewrite IPL History: Becomes Second-Highest Total as SRH Dominates Top 3 Spots

Ever since the beginning of IPL, MS Dhoni has been the identity of CSK. Rather than being the manager of the team, he is the leader who has helped the team to win many championships, even when they have faced plenty of losses. Subsequently, it is highly unlikely that his contributions will disappear from the team, particularly at the time of commencement.  

Ashwin when asked about whether this is MS Dhoni’s last IPL season.

Source: Ash ki baat (YT channel)#IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/O8l0I56JAs

— Vibhor (@Vibhor4CSK) March 23, 2025

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In the last season, besides fitness issues, Dhoni complemented his styles as the final and the mentor. His prowess in the crucial situation of the game along with his guidance of the younger players shows he is a priceless asset.  

Dhoni has often been expressive about his intention to retire in front of CSK's own fans, although no official declaration has been issued by him in that regard. Fans are still waiting for the green light, but Dhoni remains a person unwilling to divulge his decisions until the very last moment. As of that time, every piece of information and rumor had been vague, and the latter would remain until a clear statement would be made.

In the IPL 2025 clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at MA Chidambaram Stadium, young spinner Noor Ahmad delivered a sensational performance. His 4-over spell, taking 4 wickets for just 18 runs, is now the best bowling figure by a CSK spinner against MI in IPL history.

Noor Ahmad’s Amazing Spell:-

Noor Ahmad put in some truly outstanding performances throughout the tournament and this included the MI innings also. Noor was quite economical with his bowling let alone maintain an accurate line and length. His variations kept MI's batters on their toes and 4-18 in 4 overs was just what they needed to change the course of the clash. 

🚨 NOOR MADE HISTORY AT CHEPAUK 🚨

- Noor Ahmed now has the Best bowling figure for CSK against Mumbai Indians in IPL History. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FLM3fsRvUg

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 23, 2025

ALSO READ:-MS Dhoni’s Lightning-Fast Stumping Stuns Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025

Key Wickets and Match Impact:-

• Suryakumar Yadav – Beaten by a sharp delivery, stumped by MS Dhoni.
• Tilak Varma – Trapped LBW by Noor’s well-disguised googly.
• Two more crucial wickets that ensured MI couldn’t recover.

Countering the impact realized by Noor Ahmad’s game-turning spell ensured CSK sustaining control of the battle whilst relinquishing the streak to Ahmad becoming an emerging star of IPL 2025.

Once again Dhoni put himself in the bracket of most efficient Wicketkeepes in cricket. In the 2025 IPL clash between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, Dhoni executed a blazing-fast stumping against Suryakumar Yadav which proved to benefit CSK.

Stump of the Match by Dhoni:-

While MI was batting, Yadav and Varma were trying to consolidate after other strings of wickets. With Noor Ahmed bowing, Yadav went for an aggressive stroke of the bat. He unfortunately miscalculated the degree of a turn which was thrown his way. Dhoni was on full alert after the turn. He gathered the ball sharply, threw it and within a second the bails disappeared. _He didn’t even let the third ump decide and walked which resulted in MI stranded at 87/4 in 10.3 overs. 

MS DHONI, THE FASTEST BEHIND STUMPS 🐐 pic.twitter.com/JJhd5GOlTL

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 23, 2025

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Ageless Dhoni:-

Even at this age, his astute match awareness and sharp reflexes set him apart. Consequently he stumped another crucial wicket, showing ver the years weren’t affecting his gameplay at all. The captain of CSK will undoubtedly offer his fans moments of brilliance that they’ve come to expect and love.

Dhoni still the quickest #CSKvsMIpic.twitter.com/SShkTT6AqF

— Aryan (@chinchat09) March 23, 2025

ALSO READ:-Twitter Goes Wild as Rohit Sharma Bags Another IPL wicket

Rohit Sharma’s Shocked Reaction:-

MI captain Rohit Sharma was left stunned by Dhoni’s lightning-fast dismissal of Yadav. Cameras captured Rohit’s disbelief, highlighting how Dhoni’s brilliance behind the stumps continues to surprise even the best players in the world.

Even Rohit Sharma Shocked To See MS DHONI Lightning-Fast Stumping #IPL2025 #CSKvsMI #MSDhoni𓃵 pic.twitter.com/gB9RCJmk1U

— Cric Headlines (@cricheadlines) March 23, 2025

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