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Rohit Sharma silenced critics with his first half-century of IPL 2025, powering Mumbai Indians (MI) to a dominant nine-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday. The opener, who had scored just 82 runs in six previous innings, smashed an unbeaten 76 off 45 balls, anchoring MI’s chase of 177 with ease.
Partnering with Suryakumar Yadav (68* off 30), the duo stitched a 114-run stand, sealing victory with 26 balls to spare at a packed Wankhede Stadium.
Viral Moment in the Stands
Interestingly, one of the match’s most talked-about moments, however, came off the field as cameras captured Rohit’s wife, Ritika Sajdeh, wiping away tears and holding her closed fists to her chin in pride and relief as he reached his 33-ball fifty.
The clip soon went viral and trended across social media, resonating with fans familiar with her ritual of nervously watching his innings.
CSK’s Fighting Total Falls Short
Earlier, CSK posted 176/5, fueled by Shivam Dube’s 50 (32 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 53 (35 balls). Their 79-run fourth-wicket partnership revived the innings after a slow start, while 18-year-old debutant Ayush Mhatre impressed with a 15-ball 32.
In contrast, Jadeja (1/18) was CSK’s sole wicket-taker, unable to contain MI’s onslaught.
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El Clásico Delivers Despite Low Standings
Dubbed the IPL’s ‘El Clasico,' the high-voltage clash drew a full house despite both teams languishing at the bottom half of the table.
However, Rohit’s resurgence at a crucial juncture offers MI hope for a playoff push, while CSK’s inconsistent campaign continues, with possibilities of an exit before the playoffs now up for major discussions.
