Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) dismal run in the IPL 2025 season continued on Friday (April 11) as they suffered a humiliating eight-wicket defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Invited to bat first, CSK managed a paltry 103/9 in their allotted 20 overs. It was a listless performance with the bat as no one managed to touch the 40-run mark. Shivam Dube was the top scorer with 31* off 29 balls.
Sunil Narine (3-13), Harshit Rana (2-16) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2-22) were the wrecker-in-chief with the ball for KKR.
In reply, the defending champions overhauled the target in just 10.1 overs, handing CSK their fifth defeat of the season in six matches so far.
There was a lot of expectations when MS Dhoni returned to the leadership role after elbow injury ruled regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad out for the remainder of the tournament. However, the legendary wicketkeeper failed to change CSK’s fortunes in his first outing as captain for the first time since IPL 2023 final.
After the game, Dhoni reflected on CSK's horror season so far. “It has been quite a few nights that has not gone our way. The challenge has been there, we have to accept the challenge. Today I felt we did not have enough runs on the board. It has been the case over there, when we bowled in the 2nd innings it stopped a bit, today it did in the first innings,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.
“When you lose too many wickets, there is pressure and with quality spinners it is difficult. We never got any partnerships and bit more partnerships, application and we would be fine,” he added.
Dhoni defended CSK scoring only 31 runs in the powerplay, but urged the batters to be more responsible and build partnerships.
“What is important is to see the conditions, couple of games we have done decently well, back your strengths and play the shots you can play. Not match to someone's else play. Our openers are good openers, play authentic cricket shots, they don't slog or look to hit across the line,” Dhoni remarked.
“It is important not to get desperate seeing the scorecard. If we start looking for 60 with our lineup it will be very difficult for us. Get partnerships going, maybe capitalise in the middle and later overs and if we lose wickets, the middle order has to do their job differently. And the slog will be delayed for quite a while,” he concluded.
CSK are currently languishing in ninth place on the 10-team points table. They will next face Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Monday (April 14).
