The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) delivered a ruthless, all-round performance to crush Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by eight wickets in Match 25 of TATA IPL 2025 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The clinical win not only inflicted CSK’s fifth consecutive defeat—their worst-ever losing streak in IPL history—but also handed them their lowest-ever home total at Chepauk, a meagre 103/9.
In a match dominated by spinners and defined by a sensational all-round display from Sunil Narine, KKR chased down the target in just 10.1 overs, boosting their net run rate and reaffirming their status as one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament when conditions suit them.
Dhoni Returns as Captain Amid Crisis
The match began on an emotional note for CSK fans as MS Dhoni returned to captaincy, taking over from Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was ruled out for the season with an elbow injury. However, any hope that Dhoni’s leadership might spark a turnaround quickly dissipated in the face of a relentless KKR bowling attack.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to bowl on a pitch that offered sharp turn and grip—conditions tailor-made for KKR’s formidable spin unit.
Spin Carnage: KKR Choke CSK at Chepauk
What followed was a spin masterclass from KKR. On a slow black-soil pitch that “felt like home,” Sunil Narine (3/13), Varun Chakaravarthy (2/22), and Moeen Ali (1/13) dismantled the CSK batting lineup. The three tweakers combined for 12 overs, 6 wickets, and only 55 runs, throttling CSK into submission.
CSK’s Top Order Falters
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CSK openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra got off to a sedate start, scoring just 16 in the first three overs.
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Conway was trapped LBW by Moeen Ali while attempting a reverse sweep, handing Moeen a wicket maiden.
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Harshit Rana struck in the following over, removing Ravindra and piling pressure on the hosts.
A Fragile Middle Order Exposed
With the in-form Ruturaj Gaikwad absent, CSK’s middle order looked fragile:
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Rahul Tripathi, Gaikwad’s replacement, struggled to find rhythm and crawled to 16 off 22 balls.
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Vijay Shankar got two lifelines due to dropped catches but was eventually dismissed for 29 (21) by Varun Chakaravarthy.
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The collapse was swift and brutal—CSK tumbled from 59/3 to 75/8 in a matter of overs.
Dhoni’s Dismissal Adds to CSK’s Woes
Sunil Narine’s spell was not only economical but also lethal. He removed:
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Tripathi, bowled through the gate.
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Ravindra Jadeja, who had no clue about the ball’s direction.
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MS Dhoni, caught LBW with a clever variation after a strategic discussion with Rahane.
There was some doubt over the Dhoni dismissal, with UltraEdge showing faint murmurs, but the decision stood. Remarkably, it was the 16th time in his IPL career that Narine bowled his full quota without conceding a single boundary—a record no one else has matched.
Dube Fights Alone as CSK Sink to Historic Low
The only silver lining for CSK was Shivam Dube, who battled alone with an unbeaten 31 off 29 balls. But he received no support from the other end, as wickets kept tumbling.
Key details:
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CSK managed just three boundaries after the eighth over, one of which came off a top edge.
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They endured a staggering 63-ball boundary drought, one of the longest ever in IPL history.
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CSK’s 103/9 was their lowest total ever at Chepauk.
To add to the misery, their Impact Player gamble—Deepak Hooda—backfired as he fell for a duck, while key pacer Matheesha Pathirana was unavailable to play.
KKR’s Blistering Chase: Narine Unleashes Mayhem
Defending 103 was always going to be an uphill battle, but CSK’s bowling effort lacked the bite needed to even make it competitive. KKR openers Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine made a mockery of the chase, blasting 46 runs in the first four overs.
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Narine smashed a breathtaking 44 off just 18 balls, including back-to-back sixes off Ravichandran Ashwin.
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Debutant Anshul Kamboj gave CSK a brief moment of joy by dismissing de Kock for 23 (16).
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Ajinkya Rahane joined Narine and the pair took 18 runs off Khaleel Ahmed’s over, sealing the deal early.
Though Noor Ahmad eventually removed Narine, the damage was already done. Rinku Singh came in and finished things in style, launching a six to wrap up the chase in 10.1 overs, with 59 balls to spare.
Records Tumble in KKR’s Statement Win
This win wasn’t just emphatic—it was historic:
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CSK’s fifth straight loss marked their worst-ever streak in IPL history.
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Their lowest home score (103/9) shattered previous Chepauk records.
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KKR’s spinners bagged six wickets—the most by spinners against CSK in an IPL innings.
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Sunil Narine was deservingly awarded Player of the Match for his incredible all-round display: 3/13 with the ball and 44 off 18 with the bat.
What Lies Ahead
This result leaves CSK stranded in ninth place on the IPL 2025 points table, facing a steep uphill battle to stay in playoff contention. With captain Dhoni back but resources dwindling and morale low, they’ll need a massive turnaround.
For KKR, this win is a massive shot in the arm—especially as they seek spin-friendly conditions in a season where Eden Gardens hasn’t been the fortress they hoped. If Narine and company continue to operate at this level, KKR could be a formidable force as the tournament progresses.
With inputs from agencies
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