IPL 2025, KKR vs CSK Highlights: MS Dhoni leads CSK home in 180-run chase, KKR knocked out
Chennai Super Kings edged out Kolkata Knight Riders by two wickets in what appeared to be a body blow to the latter's playoffs hope. In a high-drama chase where the pendulum kept swinging both ways, MS Dhoni remained till the end and nailed down the last portion of the 180-run chase. CSK previously lost five wickets during the powerplay but Dewald Brevis's 22-ball half-century turned the tables against Kolkata Knight Riders. Brevis thrashed 30 runs off an over to deliver a body blow to KKR's hopes of reaching the playoff. Nevertheless, KKR have fought their way back after Brevis's departure with Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni not getting started yet.
CSK's youngest debutant Urvil Patel had earlier started brightly after they lost Ayush Mhatre early while pursuing 180 against Kolkata Knight Riders. Devon Conway, who opened the innings Mhatre, also fell soon and Urvil did not last too long either, and CSK lost three wickets in the first three overs.
Manish Pandey batted to the end of a bizarre innings by Kolkata Knight Riders where they scored a total of 179/6 in 20 overs. KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane was stopped in the middle overs again after getting going in the powerplay, as has been his trend throughout the season. He finally got out to his old India teammate Ravindra Jadeja in the 13th over. KKR are now relying on the possibility of Andre Russell and Manish Pandey to provide them with some pace after CSK have taken charge of the game in the middle overs. Previous to this, Rahane and Sunil Narine enjoyed themselves in the powerplay and assisted the title-holding champions in taking the recovery of losing an initial wicket in their stride. Chennai Super Kings, however, have bounced back by initially restraining runs after six overs before dismissing Narine and in-form youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi during the eighth over. Rahane had to earlier march in early once again with Anshul Kamboj dispatching back Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the second over only of the game. Rahane had already won the toss and stated that KKR are batting first. KKR must win all the remaining matches and among the commotion that they may have to nullify may be from their home crowd whenever Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni takes the field to bat. As has been the situation for the last five years or so, there is speculation that this may be the last time that the fans at the Eden Gardens would get to watch the great man in action.
The circumstances could not be more adverse for KKR. They miraculously overcame an almighty fright against Rajasthan Royals and now must win all four of their remaining games if they are to remain in playoff contention. That means while CSK have next to nothing to play for today's match, KKR have everything to lose.
KKR's batting has failed them time and again this season, placing them in a vulnerable situation with only five victories from 11 games. Pandit did state again that the players are not too bogged down by the pressure. "Always better to tell the boys what positives you have done. It helped you to win the game and you got to carry that. The strength that you have, rather than thinking about the next three games."
