On Friday, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, endured their heaviest defeat in IPL history, in terms of balls remaining, as they slumped to a crushing loss against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The five-time IPL champions could only manage a meager total of 103/9 in their 20 overs, which KKR easily chased down in just 10.1 overs, securing an emphatic eight-wicket victory.
This defeat marked CSK’s fifth loss in their last six matches of Tata IPL 2025, leaving them languishing in ninth position among the 10 teams in the standings. It was also a historic low for the franchise, as it marked the first time in IPL history that CSK had lost three consecutive matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
After the game, former India cricketer and MS Dhoni’s ex-teammate, Manoj Tiwary, didn’t hold back in expressing his confusion and concerns over CSK’s recent struggles. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Tiwary raised several blunt questions, criticizing the team’s decision-making and tactical approach.
“From hereon, CSK’s cart is going downhill. You can see it from the last three or four matches. The shot selection of the players, despite their years of experience, was puzzling. I don’t understand why MS Dhoni’s decision-making has faltered. For example, Noor Ahmad, the Purple Cap holder, didn’t bowl until the 8th over, even though the opposition spinners were doing well. Why didn’t they bring him on earlier?” said Tiwary.
Tiwary also questioned the tactical adjustments made during the match, specifically regarding Ravichandran Ashwin’s bowling. “Ashwin had been bowling round the stumps to left-handers, but today, he bowled over the stumps, which allowed Sunil Narine to capitalize. These small changes make a big difference. When you have such an experienced player like Dhoni, it’s surprising to see such errors. It makes you wonder, ‘Have their brains stopped working?’” he added.
The match itself was a one-sided affair, with Sunil Narine playing a pivotal role in KKR’s dominant performance. Narine first destroyed CSK’s batting lineup with figures of 3/13, maintaining a stranglehold in the middle overs and never allowing CSK’s batsmen to settle. Despite a valiant knock from CSK’s Ajinkya Rahane (20*), the batting collapse left the team in a helpless position.
Narine then carried his match-winning form into the chase, blasting a rapid 44 off 19 balls, which included two boundaries and five sixes. He and Quinton de Kock (23) put on a solid 46-run opening partnership, giving KKR a strong foundation. After Narine’s dismissal by Noor Ahmad, KKR continued their march to victory with ease, as Rinku Singh (15*) finished the match with a massive six, sealing the chase in just 10.1 overs.
With this victory, KKR climbed to third in the points table, improving their Net Run Rate significantly. As for CSK, their IPL 2025 campaign has been nothing short of disappointing so far, and it remains to be seen how they can bounce back from this setback.
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Looking ahead, MS Dhoni and CSK have a lot to analyze after this crushing loss. Will they be able to turn their fortunes around, or will the road ahead be filled with more struggles? Stay tuned for more IPL 2025 action and expert opinions on Winexch
