Thought for a second
Toss and Teams
On April 11, 2025, under the lights of the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, IPL fans witnessed MS Dhoni’s much‑anticipated return to captaincy for the Chennai Super Kings against Ajinkya Rahane’s Kolkata Knight Riders . Winning the toss, Rahane elected to bowl first, a decision underpinned by his belief in his bowling unit’s ability to exploit Chepauk’s turning surface . In a tactical shuffle, KKR brought in Moeen Ali for Spencer Johnson, while CSK made two changes—Rahul Tripathi replaced the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Anshul Kamboj came in for Mukesh Choudhary . The pitch, a black soil strip with a hint of grass, promised assistance to spinners early on, with pundits predicting a balanced contest punctuated by late‑evening dew .
25th Match • Chennai, MA Chidambaram Stadium
CSK 103-9 (20)
KKR 107-2 (10.1)
Kolkata Knight Riders won by 8 wkts
First Innings: CSK’s Collapse
Chennai’s batting unravelled from the outset. Rachin Ravindra fell for 4 off 9 balls, edging Harshit Rana to Ajinkya Rahane at slip in the fourth over, leaving CSK reeling at 4/1 . Devon Conway’s brief resistance ended at 12 off 11 when Moeen Ali trapped him lbw, reducing the hosts to 16/2 after three overs . A 45‑run stand between Rahul Tripathi (16 off 22) and Vijay Shankar (29 off 21) provided a glimmer of hope, but Tripathi’s top edge to Sunil Narine signalled the start of a middle‑order collapse . Seven batters failed to cross double digits, exposing CSK’s fragile lineup on a surface that offered uneven bounce and turn .
Shivam Dube fought valiantly with an unbeaten 31 off 29 balls, but wickets tumbled at regular intervals. Ravichandran Jadeja (0) and Deepak Hooda (0) fell cheaply, while Dhoni’s stroll to the crease ended abruptly as Narine trapped him lbw for 1. A review showed inconclusive UltraEdge spikes, yet the on‑field decision stood, leaving CSK in tatters at 75/8 . The Super Kings were eventually bowled out for a paltry 103/9 in 20 overs, their lowest-ever total at home and the third-lowest in IPL history .
KKR’s bowlers executed a masterclass of control and precision. Sunil Narine spun a web with figures of 3/13, while Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana claimed two wickets apiece, strangling CSK’s chase at every turn .
Second Innings: KKR’s Chase
The KKR reply was swift and ruthless. Openers Quinton de Kock (23 off 16, 3×6) and Sunil Narine (44 off 18, 5×6) raced to 46 without loss in 4.1 overs, the former unleashing three towering sixes to all but end the contest . De Kock’s aggressive start was halted when Anshul Kamboj trapped him lbw, but by then the required run rate had plummeted below 4.5 .
Ajinkya Rahane provided a calm anchor, remaining unbeaten on 20 off 17 deliveries, deftly rotating strike and punishing loose balls . Sunil Narine’s all-round heroics continued as he launched Harshit Rana for back-to-back sixes, his fifth maximum arriving in the seventh over before he fell to Noor Ahmad . Rinku Singh sealed the chase with a breezy 15 off 12, guiding KKR to 107/2 in just 10.1 overs at a staggering run rate of 10.52 . The visitors won by eight wickets with 59 balls to spare, marking their second-biggest IPL victory by balls remaining .
Player of the Match: Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine’s exceptional all-round performance underlined his enduring value to KKR. His tight spin—3/13 in four overs—strangled CSK’s batting, while his blitz of 44 runs off 18 balls swung momentum irreversibly in KKR’s favour hindustantimes.com. Narine’s prowess at Chepauk, where his carrom balls and subtle variations are amplified, once again proved decisive. His five sixes in the chase showcased his evolving role as a power-hitter, complementing his traditional mystery spin. Awarded Player of the Match, Narine now leads KKR’s impact charts with two such honors in IPL 2025, emphasizing his status as one of T20’s most influential all-rounders.
Implications and What’s Next
This emphatic win propelled Kolkata Knight Riders to third place in the IPL standings, bolstering their net run rate and confidence ahead of a clash with Punjab Kings at Mullanpur on April 15 . For Chennai Super Kings, the defeat extended their losing streak to five matches—a first in the franchise’s history—and left them languishing in ninth position, still seeking consistency under Dhoni’s renewed leadership . Ruturaj Gaikwad, sidelined with an elbow injury, sent a heartfelt message to his teammates, pledging support from the dugout as they regroup for a crucial fixture against Lucknow Super Giants on April 14 .
Ajinkya Rahane reflected on the decision to bowl first, citing the positives from his bowlers’ execution and the importance of continuous improvement . In contrast, Dhoni admitted that “quite a few nights haven’t gone our way” and stressed the need for CSK to look “deep down inside” to reverse their fortunes .
Conclusion
The 25th match of IPL 2025 will be remembered as a one-sided affair where KKR’s all-round excellence overwhelmed CSK’s batting vulnerabilities. Sunil Narine’s stellar show and KKR’s collective bowling performance highlighted the fine margins in T20 cricket, where a single session can redefine a match. As the tournament progresses, KKR will aim to maintain their momentum, while CSK must rediscover the resilience and strategic clarity that have long been hallmarks of their success.
