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Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been suspended for a week due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, following Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Despite the disruption, this season has consistently thrilled fans with its electrifying atmosphere and dramatic turnarounds. As we await the tournament’s return, let’s revisit the three closest encounters of IPL 2025 with nail-biting finishes that captured the intensity of the league and highlighted exceptional skill, strategy, and drama.
Here are the three closest matches of IPL 2025:
3. Match 56: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans
The rain-affected clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT) delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the season. After winning the toss, GT chose to field first at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, known for its batting-friendly surface. However, GT’s bowlers defied expectations by removing both openers from MI’s power-packed batting lineup within the powerplay. Will Jacks and Suryakumar Yadav then steadied the innings, helping MI recover from a poor start and push the total past the 150-run mark.
The second innings turned into a rain-disrupted roller coaster, with frequent showers interrupting play. Despite the interruptions, GT skipper Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler kept the scoreboard ticking. The real drama unfolded in the 19th over when the target was revised under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, leaving GT needing 15 runs from the final over. Until then, MI looked set to win, but South African pacer Gerald Coetzee turned the game on its head by lofting a slot delivery over long-off for six, bringing the target within reach. With one run needed off the final ball, GT clinched a thrilling victory and moved to the top of the table.
2. Match 52: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings
The clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), often referred to as the Southern Derby, lived up to its reputation as one of the fiercest rivalries in IPL history. The two sides faced off at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where CSK won the toss and elected to field in this high-stakes encounter. RCB, enjoying a strong season, started brilliantly as openers Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell both smashed quick half-centuries. Although CSK managed to take regular wickets in the middle overs to slow the scoring but Romario Shepherd had other plans. The Caribbean all-rounder played a stunning knock, scoring an unbeaten 53 off just 14 balls, powering RCB to a formidable total of 213.
In response, the already-eliminated CSK shocked everyone with a spirited chase. Despite losing two quick wickets, youngster Ayush Mhatre and veteran Ravindra Jadeja stitched together a remarkable 114-run partnership off just 64 deliveries, putting CSK in a strong position to win. With 15 runs needed in the final over and the pressure mounting, it all came down to another tense finish featuring Yash Dayal. This time, the RCB pacer held his nerve, and CSK fell agonizingly short by just two runs. Mhatre’s brilliant 94 was one of the standout performances of the match.
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1. Match 32: Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals
The clash between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have made it to the top of the list. In one of the most thrilling matches of IPL 2025, DC edged out RR in a dramatic Super Over finish during Match 32 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Batting first, DC posted a competitive total of 188 for 5, with Abishek Porel top-scoring with 49 and captain Axar Patel adding a quick 34 off just 14 balls. Tristan Stubbs also contributed with an unbeaten 34 off 18, powering DC to a strong finish with 42 runs in the final three overs.
In response, RR matched the total with 188 for 4, thanks to half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Rana. With 9 runs needed, Mitchell Starc delivered a brilliant final over, conceding just 8 runs and forcing the game into a Super Over. In the tiebreaker, RR managed only 11 runs and lost two quick wickets. DC chased down the target in just four balls, with KL Rahul and Stubbs finishing the job in style. The win marked DC’s fifth victory in six matches and took them to the top of the points table, solidifying their position as serious contenders this season.
Also READ: Here’s the frozen IPL 2025 points table until the suspension is lifted
