Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Apr 12: In a rare and disappointing sight for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans, the MS Dhoni-led side slumped to their fifth consecutive defeat in the IPL 2025 season, going down to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by eight wickets at Chepauk on Friday. This marked CSK’s lowest total at their home ground and their third-lowest ever in IPL history.
Returning to captaincy mid-season, MS Dhoni couldn’t prevent yet another collapse from the Super Kings' batting order. The team was restricted to a paltry 103/9 after a disciplined bowling performance from the defending champions, led by Sunil Narine who bagged 3 for 13. Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy chipped in with two wickets apiece.
KKR chased down the target in just 10.1 overs, with Narine continuing his dominance by smashing a blistering 44 off just 18 balls, decorated with five towering sixes and two boundaries. He was rightly adjudged the Player of the Match for his all-round brilliance.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Dhoni acknowledged the persistent struggles in CSK’s top order and the failure to build meaningful partnerships.
“It has been quite a few nights that have not gone our way. The challenge has been there, we have to accept it. Today, I felt we did not have enough runs on the board,” Dhoni said. “When you lose too many wickets early, there's pressure, and with quality spinners, it becomes difficult. We never got any partnerships going. A bit more application and we would have been fine.”
The veteran wicketkeeper-batter stressed the importance of sticking to basics and not chasing the scoreboard in desperation.
“Our openers are good, they play authentic cricket shots. It’s important not to get desperate. If we start looking for 60 too early, it becomes difficult with our lineup. We need to focus on building partnerships, capitalise in the middle overs, and adapt if we lose wickets,” he added.
This defeat marked CSK’s biggest loss in IPL history in terms of balls remaining (59), and for the first time, the Chennai outfit has lost five matches on the trot. Moreover, it is also the first time CSK has been beaten in three consecutive matches at their fortress, Chepauk, in a single season.
With playoffs chances slipping fast, CSK will need a major turnaround in form, especially in their batting department, to stay alive in the tournament.