The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is off to an electrifying start, and Day 3, March 24, 2025, delivered yet another thrilling chapter in this cricketing extravaganza. With three matches completed so far, the tournament has already seen dominant performances, nail-biting finishes, and the emergence of early frontrunners. Here’s a detailed look at the action from Day 3 and the updated points table for all ten teams as of March 25, 2025.
Day 3 Highlights: CSK Triumph Over MI
Day 3 featured a blockbuster clash between two IPL heavyweights, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. CSK, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, showcased their spin prowess and batting depth to secure a 4-wicket victory over MI in a closely contested match.
MI posted a competitive total of 174/6, thanks to a spirited effort from their batting lineup. Debutant Vignesh Puthur impressed with a three-wicket haul for MI, but it was CSK’s Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad who stole the show. The mystery spinner ran through MI’s middle order, finishing with figures of 4/32, restricting them to a chaseable total. In response, CSK faced early hiccups but were steadied by Rachin Ravindra’s classy 65, guiding them home in 16.2 overs. This win marked CSK’s first victory of the season and underlined their status as one of the favorites.
Recap of Days 1 and 2
The tournament kicked off on March 22 with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the defending champions, facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens. RCB chased down KKR’s 174 with ease, winning by 7 wickets and signaling their intent for the season. On Day 2, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) put on a batting masterclass, posting a mammoth 286/6—powered by Ishan Kishan’s maiden IPL ton—before defeating Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 44 runs in Hyderabad.
IPL 2025 Points Table After Day 3
With three matches in the books, the points table is beginning to take shape. Here’s how all ten teams stand as of March 25, 2025:
| Position | Team | Matches Played | Won | Lost | Points | Net Run Rate (NRR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +2.200 |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +2.137 |
| 3 | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.493 |
| 4 | Delhi Capitals (DC) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| 5 | Gujarat Titans (GT) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| 6 | Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| 7 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| 8 | Mumbai Indians (MI) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.493 |
| 9 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -2.137 |
| 10 | Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -2.200 |
Key Observations:
- Top of the Table: SRH lead the standings with 2 points and an impressive Net Run Rate (NRR) of +2.200, thanks to their massive victory over RR. RCB follow closely in second place with 2 points and an NRR of +2.137 after their convincing win against KKR. CSK sit third with 2 points and a solid NRR of +0.493.
- Yet to Play: Four teams—Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants, and Punjab Kings—are yet to begin their campaigns and remain on 0 points with no NRR impact so far.
- Struggling Giants: MI, KKR, and RR find themselves at the bottom of the table after opening losses. RR’s NRR of -2.200 is the lowest, reflecting their heavy defeat to SRH, while KKR (-2.137) and MI (-0.493) will look to bounce back quickly.
What’s Next?
The action continues on March 25 with two exciting fixtures. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) take on Delhi Capitals (DC) at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, followed by Gujarat Titans (GT) facing Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Both matches promise to shake up the points table as these teams aim to kick off their campaigns with a win.
Early Trends and Predictions
While it’s still early days in the 74-match tournament, SRH’s batting firepower, RCB’s balanced attack, and CSK’s spin dominance have set them apart as teams to watch. The defending champions KKR, along with five-time winners MI, will need to regroup swiftly to avoid falling behind in the playoff race. With the top four teams advancing to the playoffs after the league stage, every match will be crucial in this fiercely competitive season.
Stay tuned as IPL 2025 continues to unfold, bringing more drama, stunning performances, and shifts in the points table! Who do you think will rise to the top by the end of the league stage? Let the games begin!
