Sunil Narine Shines as KKR Crush CSK in Dhoni’s Return as Captain: IPL 2025 CSK vs KKR Match report
Chennai, April 12, 2025 — In a match that had all the emotional highs and lows of a dramatic IPL storyline, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) handed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) a crushing eight-wicket defeat in Match 25 of TATA IPL 2025 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. While the crowd erupted in nostalgia as MS Dhoni walked out for the toss as captain, the night ultimately belonged to Sunil Narine, whose sensational all-round display powered KKR to a dominant win.
Chasing a modest target of 104 runs, Narine blazed away to 44 off just 18 balls, complementing his superb bowling effort of 3 for 13, as KKR chased down the target in just 10.1 overs. This commanding win helped the Kolkata-based franchise boost their net run rate and establish their credentials as one of the most dangerous teams this season.
Emotional Toss Moment: Dhoni Returns as Skipper
The biggest pre-match headline came before a ball was bowled. The Chepauk faithful were treated to a surprise and emotional moment when MS Dhoni, the legendary CSK skipper, returned to lead the side after a gap of one season. Regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with an elbow injury, prompting the franchise to hand the reins back to their most iconic player.
The sight of Dhoni walking out in yellow as captain one more time drew loud cheers across the stadium and on social media. However, the fairy tale return would be marred by what unfolded over the next few hours.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane, stepping in as stand-in captain for an injured Shreyas Iyer, won the toss and elected to bowl first— a decision that paid off almost immediately.
CSK’s Tentative Start and Sudden Collapse
The pitch at Chepauk looked typically sluggish, and CSK’s opening duo of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra opted for a cautious approach. Only 16 runs came off the first three overs as the KKR bowlers kept it tight.
The breakthrough came in the fourth over, courtesy of Moeen Ali, who removed Conway attempting an ambitious reverse sweep. The LBW appeal was upheld on the umpire’s call, giving Moeen a wicket maiden that tilted the early momentum toward KKR.
In the very next over, Harshit Rana struck to dismiss Rachin Ravindra, leaving CSK reeling at 18/2. A few sparks of resistance came from Vijay Shankar and Rahul Tripathi, who tried to counterattack. Shankar had a slice of luck as KKR fielders dropped him twice, but their partnership never really took off.
Varun Chakaravarthy ended Shankar’s stay in the 10th over, bowling him for 29 off 21 balls, which left CSK at 61/3 at the halfway mark.
From there, the innings unraveled in dramatic fashion.
Narine’s Spin Web and Dhoni’s Dismissal
If there was any doubt about who would dominate the night, Sunil Narine made sure to clear it in style. The veteran spinner was introduced at a crucial juncture and turned the game into a one-sided contest.
First, he cleaned up Rahul Tripathi with a classic off-spinner that drifted in and turned past the bat to hit the stumps. Then came the moment that stunned the Chepauk crowd— MS Dhoni, the hometown hero, was foxed by Narine with a subtle change of pace.
Before the delivery, Narine had a strategic discussion with Ajinkya Rahane, and whatever was planned worked to perfection. Dhoni, trying to break the shackles, mistimed his shot and was dismissed cheaply, silencing the crowd and deflating CSK’s hopes.
The rest of the batting lineup crumbled under pressure. Narine finished with 3/13 in four overs, while Harshit Rana and Chakaravarthy also chipped in with crucial wickets. CSK were eventually bundled out for a below-par 103 in 18.4 overs—a total far from defendable even on a slow surface.
KKR’s Chase: Power and Precision
In reply, KKR came out with a clear intent to finish things quickly and boost their net run rate. Sunil Narine, now opening the batting, launched a blistering assault on CSK’s bowlers right from the start.
He raced to 44 runs off just 18 deliveries, smashing boundaries and sixes with ease. His fearless hitting demoralized the CSK attack and effectively ended the contest in the powerplay itself. Narine’s innings included 5 fours and 3 sixes, and he was finally dismissed trying to go for another big shot, caught at long-on.
But by then, the job was nearly done. Young opener Phil Salt added a steady 31 off 24 balls, and the formalities were completed in the 11th over, with KKR reaching 107/2 in 10.1 overs.
Turning Point of the Match
The real turning point came in the form of Sunil Narine’s double-strike—first removing Rahul Tripathi and then getting Dhoni out. From 61/3 to 103 all-out, CSK never recovered from that collapse. Narine’s form with both bat and ball was the X-factor KKR needed to convert a balanced game into a complete demolition.
Captain Speaks
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Ajinkya Rahane praised Narine’s heroics:
“Sunil was exceptional today. His experience is invaluable, and when he gets going, it’s hard to stop him. Credit to the entire bowling unit for setting up this win.”
On the other side, MS Dhoni acknowledged the poor performance:
“We didn’t bat well today. A score of 103 isn’t defendable on any pitch. Credit to KKR for the way they bowled and chased. We’ll need to regroup and come back stronger.”
What’s Next?
This win propels KKR further up the IPL 2025 points table, strengthening their playoff hopes. For CSK, the loss raises concerns—not just about form, but also about how they cope without Ruturaj Gaikwad for the rest of the season.
While fans were thrilled to see Dhoni back at the helm, they’ll be hoping that his leadership can inspire a turnaround in the coming matches.
Match Summary
CSK: 103 all out in 18.4 overs (Vijay Shankar 29; Narine 3/13, Harshit 2/21)
KKR: 107/2 in 10.1 overs (Narine 44, Salt 31)
KKR won by 8 wickets
Player of the Match: Sunil Narine
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