IPL 2025: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Khaleel Ahmed accused of 'ball tampering' during CSK vs MI, video goes viral - Watch

IPL 2025: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Khaleel Ahmed accused of 'ball tampering' during CSK vs MI

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made a solid start in IPL 2025, beating rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) by four wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. The Yellow Army produced a clincial show in both departments. With the ball they restricted MI to 155/9 after asking them to bat first. The team then chased down the target with five balls to spare.

However, the win has now been marred in controversy as a video of CSK quick Khaleel Ahmed and Gaikwad has gone viral on social media. In the video, the duo can be seen exchanging some stuff before Gaikwad places it in his pocket, leading to criticism from a section of fans, also alleging possible "ball tampering". Here is the video and how fans have reacted to it:

Ball Tempering pic.twitter.com/9xIsNH7C0Y
(@TheCric8Boy) March 24, 2025

They want 2 years break I think. BCCI please accept their application. pic.twitter.com/6PoezHPmtk RCBXTRA (@RCBXTRAOFFICIAL) March 24, 2025

However, few felt otherwise and blamed the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), whom CSK meet next, for making issue out of nothing.

1 Khaleel removes his ring2.rutu gives the ball to him3.khaleel gives his ring to rutu.4.Rutu keeps it in his pocket.Brainless choklians are scared of Khaleel& Barking saar saar ball tampering saarwhy would anyone tamper a new ballChoklians brain?pic.twitter.com/aOAU47E3L9 https://t.co/aETbIfWLrM
CHE RAM (@A_n_b_e_S_i_vam) March 24, 2025

RKB Chokli's fan saying bowler doing ball tampering in first over to spoil the swing ?pic.twitter.com/Xv1IKCn4uT https://t.co/LAtsnS9QID . (@Devx_07) March 24, 2025

What happened in the match?

Rachin Ravindra emerged as the unsung hero for CSK as he returned unbeaten on 65 off 45 balls. The Kiwi all-rounder stoodd firm while wickets kept tumbling at the other end in the 156-run chase.

CSK during the chase were jolted early by their former player Deepak Chahar, who also made significant contribution with the bat in the match. The Yellow Army surprised most by tweaking their opening combination and promoted impact substitute Rahul Tripathi above Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, Chahar foiled CSK's experiment and packed Tripathi for 2(3).

Gaikwad then joined the proceedings and took the game away from MI by hammering 53 off 26 balls, which also saw him complete his fastest half-century in the IPL. However, MI debutant Vignesh Puthur crashed the CSK party and picked three wickets (Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda) in as many overs to bring his side back in the contest. Will Jacks too piled pressure on the hosts by cleaning up Sam Curran in the middle-overs, leaving CSK reeling at 116/5 at one stage.

However, Ravindra Jadeja and Rachin kept the scoreboard ticking before a needless mix-up in the 19th over resulted in the Indian's dismissal.

Earlier, a late cameo by Chahar helped MI post a respectable 155/9. Chahar returned unbeaten on 28 off 15 balls, giving himself and other bowlers something to defend. Khaleel Ahmed jolted the visitors early with double blows. The medium-pacer removed Rohit Sharma for duck and then cleaned up Ryan Rickelton for 13(7). He finished with three scalps and 29 runs in his full quota of overs.

The spinners too played a significant role in derailing MI in the middle-overs. Noor Ahmad was the standout performer as he registered four scalps in his maiden outing for the Yellow Army. Ravichandran Ashwin, who reunited with the franchise after almost a decade, chipped in with a wicket, while MS Dhoni rolled back the years with his lightning quick stumping against Suryakumar Yadav (29 off 26).