43 Balls! Vijay Shankar Tops Unwanted Record In IPL 2025 With Lousy Fifty Against DC

Vijay Shankar [Source: @IPL/X]

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is facing a daunting task chasing 184 against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 17 of IPL 2025 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. Despite an early top-order collapse, CSK’s middle order showed some resistance.

However, a sluggish half-century from Vijay Shankar has added to their mounting problems. At the time of writing, CSK stood at 130/5 in 18 overs, needing 54 runs from just 12 balls to pull off an unlikely win.

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Vijay Shankar Tops Slowest Fifty Chart In IPL

Shankar and MS Dhoni are at the crease, but with the required run rate ballooning to 27 an over, Delhi Capitals appears firmly in control. Shankar eventually brought up his fifty in 43 balls, now the slowest of the IPL 2025 season. Though he held one end, his knock lacked urgency and boundaries, putting added pressure on the lower order.

Interestingly, this also marks Shankar in an unwanted list of slowest fifties in IPL amidst his CSK teammates Rachin Ravindra and Ruturaj Gaikwad.

While Vijay Shankar’s knock may go down as one of grit, it has also slowed CSK’s pursuit of a challenging total. Unless Dhoni conjures up something special in the final two overs, Delhi looks set to walk away with a crucial win.

DC Breach Chepauk Fort As Chennai Get Sloppy

DC had earlier posted 183/6 in their 20 overs, powered by Lokesh Rahul’s 77 off 51 balls and Abhishek Porel’s 33 off 20. Quick cameos from Axar Patel (21 off 14) and Tristan Stubbs (24 off 12)* boosted the total as Chennai’s bowlers leaked runs at the death.

In reply, CSK were rocked early, losing Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Devon Conway inside the Powerplay. The innings slowed down further with Shankar taking time to settle in, while Shivam Dube and Jadeja couldn’t stay long at the crease.

The required run rate is spiking dramatically as dot balls pile up. MS Dhoni, currently unbeaten, hasn’t been able to find the fence too often either. With just a few balls left to complete the chase, it looks like an uphill task for the Super Kings.

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