Ashwin Shatters Records: Becomes IPL’s Top 5 Wicket-Taker Despite CSK’s Defeat to RCB

A Historic Milestone for Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin, the acclaimed spinner, has made history by becoming the fifth highest wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. This remarkable achievement came during a nail-biting match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Achieving this milestone, Ashwin moved ahead of Sunil Narine’s 181 wickets, securing his 182nd in just 214 matches with a commendable average of 29.79 and an economy rate of 7.13.

Ashwin’s Impactful Return to CSK

After a decade apart, Ashwin rejoined CSK in IPL 2025 for Rs. 9.75 Crore, blending his vast experience with that of his fellow spinner, Ravindra Jadeja. This strategic move has fortified CSK’s bowling line-up, proving critical in key matches.

Match Breakdown: CSK vs. RCB Highlights

First Innings Brilliance

The excitement escalated quickly as CSK won the toss and opted to field. RCB’s innings was charged by powerful hitting from Phil Salt and solid contributions from Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar. They propelled the score to 196/7, with Tim David finishing strong in the last overs.

CSK’s Chase and the Bowling Prowess

The chase saw CSK facing stern resistance from RCB’s bowlers. Most notably, Hazlewood captured important wickets early on. Despite a resilient fight from Rachin Ravindra and a swift cameo from MS Dhoni, CSK concluded their innings at 146/8. Here, RCB’s tactical bowling, especially from Yash Dayal and Liam Livingstone who both snagged two wickets, was pivotal in curbing CSK’s scoring rate.

Significance of the Victory

This match marked a significant win for RCB as their first triumph over CSK at the home ground of Chepauk Stadium since 2008, rewriting history in an unforgettable showdown.