A fresh controversy has erupted in the ongoing IPL 2025, as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fans have accused Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Khaleel Ahmed and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad of alleged ball tampering in their season opener against the Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 23.
Fans have been shockingly claiming that the ball was altered as early as the second delivery of the second innings during Chennai Super Kings’ four-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in the third match of the ongoing IPL 2025 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.
Ball tampering storm hits IPL 2025 during CSK vs MI clash
They have flooded social media, questioning whether CSK deliberately manipulated the ball after CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and pacer Khaleel Ahmed were caught doing something with the ball near the boundary rope in Chennai.
Fans have now been accusing the CSK of doing “ball tampering” against the MI after influencing the scheduling of their first two matches of the 2025 season at home—first against Mumbai and the second against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)—apart from forcing the reintroduction of the uncapped player rule.
Uncapped player rule.
Scheduled home match vs MI & RCB (everyone knew Captain pf Mi is not available for 1st match).
2nd ball in 2nd inning so that spinners can hold the ball.“Now Ball tempering”pic.twitter.com/qVlSsInZCD
— Fearless🦁 (@ViratTheLegend) March 24, 2025
After the clip of the suspicious action of Gaikwad and Khaleel went viral on social media, fans have been calling the CSK “fixer” and reminded the franchise of their past two years for the match-fixing. Even some fans have been calling the BCCI and IPL to ban Chennai for two more years.
Here’s how fans reacted to Chennai Super Kings’ alleged cheating against Mumbai Indians:
Very Concerning & Serious matter, If it is True 🤔
Ball Tampering 👀👀#CSKvsMI #balltempering #balltampering #IPL2025 #CSK @BCCI @JioHotstar @IPL @iamsrk @KKRiders @mipaltan @ChennaiIPL @rajasthanroyals @CricCrazyJohns @mufaddal_vohra @ANI @cricketaakash @GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/rKfaW5F0gP
— Mrutyunjaya Swain 🇮🇳 (@Mrutyunjayaswa9) March 24, 2025
Ball Tempering 👀 ?
Ruturaj Gaikwad और Khaleel ahmad के ऊपर ball के साथ छेड़खानी का आरोप लग सकता है #CSK 2 साल और Ban कि तैयारी में 😄🤣🤣#balltempering #balltampering#Ruturajgaikwad #Khaleelahmad #CSKvsMI pic.twitter.com/9ZZugM8WMc
— अघोरी 👹 (@anghori_29) March 24, 2025
#CSK Fixers should be banned.. hey have a look at this @BCCI @IPL https://t.co/yc8YpDjDaa
— Mahi (@mahi__Ak) March 24, 2025
If this turns out to be true, it would be an absolute disgrace for #CSK! Cheating has no place in cricket @CskIPLTeam @BCCI @JayShah https://t.co/pvjCWbovdr
— Soumya Mahana 🇮🇳 (@SoumyaMahana) March 24, 2025
Let’s See Ball Tampering hogaya or Nahi#CSKvsMI#CSKpic.twitter.com/DeouL2AYsZ
— B Vijayaraju (@B_Vijay1889) March 24, 2025
Speaking about the CSK vs MI match, Chennai’s new bowling recruits made an instant impact in IPL 2025, playing a crucial role in their thrilling win over Mumbai on Sunday. Khaleel and Noor Ahmed combined to take seven wickets to help Chennai restrict MI to just 155/9.
Later, the hosts chased down the target comfortably after a brief challenge from the MI debutant left-arm wrist-spinner Vignesh Puthur, who is yet to play senior-level cricket for his state, Kerala. However, it was another left-arm wrist spinner who truly stole the show in Chennai.
Read Also: Mayank Yadav ultimately all but ruled out of IPL 2025 for LSG
Noor Ahmad and Khaleel Ahmed shine as CSK crush MI in IPL 2025 clash
Afghan star Noor Ahmad delivered a match-winning performance. He finished with his best IPL figures—4 for 18—the best ever by a CSK spinner against MI to guide his team to a thrilling victory and went on to bag the Player of the Match award on Sunday.
Noor made the most of the strong foundation set by Khaleel, who impressed on his CSK debut with figures of 3 for 29 in four overs against the MI. Chennai’s chase started in dominant fashion, thanks to captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s explosive 53 off 26 balls, which brought the required rate down to a run-a-ball by the ninth over.
However, Vignesh Puthur’s slow wrist spin made their chase difficult, leading to three batters getting caught in the deep while trying to clear the field. Despite the minor hiccup, Rachin Ravindra held his nerve, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 65 off 45 balls to guide CSK to victory over MI.
