CSK vs DC: Vijay Shankar’s sluggish knock for Chennai Super Kings in their IPL 2025 clash against Delhi Capitals has not only cost his team a crucial chase but also stirred an uproar among fans who vented their frustration on social media.
The all-rounder’s 69 off 54 balls – the slowest half-century in the ongoing season – came under severe scrutiny as CSK slumped to another disappointing defeat.
Coming in at number four after CSK lost a couple of early wickets chasing a stiff 184-run target, Shankar was expected to anchor the innings and accelerate as the game progressed. While he did hold one end, what unfolded was a painstaking display of T20 batting that felt more suited to a longer format. With just five boundaries and one six in his entire knock, Shankar not only failed to lift the scoring rate but also consumed deliveries that ultimately proved decisive.
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Chennai managed just 84 runs in the final 9.2 overs, with Shankar and MS Dhoni unable to break free from Delhi’s disciplined bowling. Though he ended with a strike rate better than some of his teammates, fans weren’t buying the numbers.
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One post sarcastically read, “Congratulations Vijay Shankar for your first Test fifty for CSK,” accompanied by a meme. Another said, “Zero intent to score runs when you need ~18 per over,” capturing the sentiment of thousands who watched in disbelief.
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Adding to the frustration was the fact that Shankar was granted multiple lifelines by Delhi’s fielders – four in total – which made his labored innings all the more baffling. Instead of capitalizing on the reprieves, he appeared content rotating the strike and nudging the ball around, even as the asking rate skyrocketed.
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Some fans didn’t hold back. “Worst batting performance from Vijay Shankar. Looked like gully cricket in Chennai,” wrote one, expressing disappointment with what was perceived as a lack of match awareness. While a handful defended him, noting he had the highest strike rate among CSK batters on the night, the larger narrative was that his slow knock deflated the momentum in a must-win game.
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To make matters worse, Shankar now holds the dubious record for the slowest fifty in IPL 2025 – overtaking even Rachin Ravindra, whose own sluggish innings earlier in the season had raised eyebrows. The parallels were too sharp to ignore for the CSK faithful, who are accustomed to the brand of explosive cricket the franchise is known for.
As Chennai’s campaign hangs in the balance, questions are already being raised about their middle-order choices and approach during chases. Vijay Shankar’s innings might have added to his personal tally, but for the team, it was a step backward. And in the ever-unforgiving world of the IPL, there’s little room – or time – for slow learners.