Chennai – In a display of complete dominance, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) crushed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by eight wickets in Match 25 of the TATA IPL 2025 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday. Sunil Narine and his all-round performance stole the show as he spun a web around CSK’s batsmen with figures of 3/13 before hammering a quickfire 44 off just 18 balls to ensure KKR chased down the target of 104 with remarkable ease, finishing the job in merely 10.1 overs.
The comprehensive victory not only strengthened KKR’s position in the points table but also delivered a significant blow to CSK’s confidence at their traditionally fortress-like home ground. Sunil Narine and his all-round performance exemplified the clinical efficiency with which KKR approached the contest, dominating both with ball and bat to register one of the most one-sided victories of this IPL season.
Dhoni Returns as Captain Amid Injury Crisis
The match began with a moment of nostalgia for CSK fans as MS Dhoni walked out for the toss, taking over the captaincy reins once again. This unexpected change came after regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out for the remainder of the season with an elbow injury. While Dhoni’s return as captain momentarily lifted the spirits of the home crowd, what followed was a performance that gave them little to cheer about.
KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and made the straightforward decision to bowl first on a pitch that looked like it might offer assistance to the spinners. His assessment proved to be spot on, as the KKR bowling attack, particularly the spinners, exploited the conditions masterfully.
“Looking at the conditions, we wanted to bowl first and put them under pressure early,” Rahane explained at the toss. “We’ve been playing good cricket, and today we wanted to continue with the same momentum.”
CSK’s Cautious Start and Early Setbacks
The Chennai innings began with a cautious approach from openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. The New Zealand pair seemed wary of the conditions, managing just 16 runs in the first three overs. This tentative start set the tone for what would become an increasingly difficult batting performance for the home team.
Conway’s attempt to break the shackles in the fourth over led to his downfall. Facing Moeen Ali, who was surprisingly given an early over by Rahane, Conway attempted an ambitious reverse sweep. The ball struck him on the pads, and despite a review, the on-field decision was upheld on umpire’s call, giving Moeen a wicket maiden and providing KKR with their first breakthrough.
Former KKR player Moeen Ali, now representing the Kolkata franchise, celebrated with visible emotion. “Getting Conway early was crucial. He’s a player who can take the game away if he gets set,” Moeen commented after the match.
The pressure intensified when Harshit Rana, one of KKR’s promising young pacers, removed Rachin Ravindra in the very next over. The ball shaped away slightly, inducing an edge that was safely pouched by Quinton de Kock behind the stumps. With both openers back in the pavilion within the powerplay, CSK found themselves in early trouble at 24/2.
Brief Resistance Before the Collapse
Vijay Shankar and Rahul Tripathi attempted to rebuild the CSK innings with a cautious partnership. Shankar, in particular, enjoyed some fortune when KKR fielders dropped two opportunities to dismiss him. These reprieves allowed him to grow in confidence as he started to find the boundary with a couple of well-timed shots.
The pair added 37 runs for the third wicket, temporarily stabilizing the innings and giving CSK fans hope of a recovery. However, this brief resistance came to an end when mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy entered the attack and immediately made an impact.
Chakaravarthy, with his variety of deliveries, proved difficult to read for Shankar, who eventually perished for 29 off 21 balls while attempting to accelerate. The dismissal left CSK at 61/3 at the halfway mark, still looking at a potential recovery if they could build a few more partnerships.
“I felt we were still in the game at that point,” reflected Dhoni after the match. “We had wickets in hand and if we could have pushed to around 140-150, it would have been a fighting total on this surface.”
Sunil Narine’s All-Round Performance Begins with the Ball
The turning point of the match came when Sunil Narine was introduced into the attack. The Trinidadian spinner immediately showcased why he remains one of the most feared T20 bowlers in world cricket. Sunil Narine and his subtle variations in pace, coupled with his ability to extract turn from the surface, proved too much for the CSK batsmen to handle.
The first victim of Sunil Narine was Rahul Tripathi, who was deceived by a delivery that spun back sharply to disturb the timber. This wicket by Sunil Narine triggered a spectacular collapse as CSK lost wickets in clusters, unable to counter the spin threat posed by KKR’s bowling attack.
What made Sunil Narine’s all-round performance with the ball even more impressive was his tactical astuteness. A perfect example came when Dhoni walked to the crease. Sunil Narine was seen in deep conversation with captain Rahane, clearly discussing the plan for the CSK captain. The strategy worked to perfection as Narine employed a clever variation that Dhoni failed to read, resulting in his dismissal for a minimal contribution.
“I’ve bowled to MS many times over the years,” Sunil Narine explained in the post-match interview. “We had a specific plan for him today, and thankfully it worked out. Getting his wicket is always special because of the respect we all have for him as a finisher.”
As wickets continued to tumble, only Shivam Dube offered any significant resistance, remaining unbeaten on 31 off 29 balls. His lone effort helped push CSK past the 100-run mark, but the final total of 103/9 in their allotted 20 overs represented CSK’s lowest-ever IPL total at their home ground in Chepauk – a statistic that highlighted the exceptional bowling performance from KKR.
Spin Dominance: KKR’s Turning Point
The dominance of KKR’s spin department was the defining feature of the CSK innings. Six wickets fell to spin bowling – the most ever against CSK in an IPL innings. Sunil Narine and his all-round performance with the ball (3/13) was complemented by Varun Chakaravarthy (2/21) and Moeen Ali (1/19), as they collectively strangled the CSK batting lineup.
This strategy of spin domination was clearly pre-planned by the KKR think tank, who had assessed the conditions perfectly. The Chepauk pitch, traditionally known to assist spinners, played true to its reputation, and KKR exploited it masterfully.
“We knew spin would play a major role today,” said KKR’s bowling coach after the match. “Our spinners have been in great form throughout the tournament, and today they showed their class. Sunil, as always, led from the front with his experience and skill.”
The pacers weren’t left behind either, with Harshit Rana, Mitchell Starc, and Andre Russell all picking up a wicket each to ensure that CSK never gained momentum at any stage of their innings.
KKR’s Explosive Chase
Chasing a modest target of 104, KKR approached their innings with clear intent – finish the game quickly and boost their net run rate. Openers Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine came out with all guns blazing, taking the attack to CSK’s bowlers from the very first over.
The duo raced to 46 runs in just four overs, effectively crushing any hopes of a CSK comeback. De Kock, known for his aggressive strokeplay, contributed 23 off 16 balls before becoming the first KKR wicket to fall. The South African wicketkeeper-batsman was castled by debutant Anshul Kamboj, who provided CSK with their only moment of joy in an otherwise forgettable match.
“We wanted to be positive from ball one,” de Kock said. “On a pitch like this, chasing a small total, you don’t want to give the opposition any chance to build pressure. So the plan was simple – see ball, hit ball.”
Narine’s Batting Brilliance Completes His All-Round Performance
If Sunil Narine’s bowling wasn’t impressive enough, his batting display was equally spectacular. Continuing his remarkable transformation as a top-order batsman, Narine smashed 44 off just 18 balls, including five boundaries and three towering sixes. His strike rate of 244.44 perfectly illustrated the dominance KKR established over the CSK bowling attack.
The approach of Sunil Narine was fearless as he targeted both the pacers and spinners with equal disdain. Classic innings by Sunil Narine included a particularly brutal assault on experienced CSK bowler Khaleel, taking 22 runs off a single over to effectively end any faint hopes of a CSK comeback.
“I’m enjoying my role at the top of the order,” Sunil Narine said, reflecting on his batting performance. “The freedom to express myself without pressure allows me to play my natural game. Today, the ball was coming nicely onto the bat, and I just tried to capitalize on the powerplay.”
This batting display completed Sunil Narine and his all-round performance , highlighting his evolution from a specialist spinner to one of the most valuable all-rounders in T20 cricket. His contribution with both bat and ball has been instrumental in KKR’s successful campaign so far in IPL 2025.
Quick Finish Boosts KKR’s Net Run Rate
After dismissal of Sunil Narine, captain Ajinkya Rahane (27* off 20) and Rinku Singh (8* off 5) ensured there were no further hiccups in the chase. Rinku, known for his finishing abilities, fittingly sealed the victory with a maximum over long-on, as KKR reached the target in just 10.1 overs with eight wickets in hand.
The quick finish meant KKR won with 59 balls to spare – a significant margin that provided a substantial boost to their net run rate, a factor that could prove crucial in the later stages of the tournament when playoff positions are determined.
“Finishing the game quickly was part of our strategy,” Rahane revealed after the match. “In a tournament like IPL, net run rate can be the difference between making the playoffs or not. So once we restricted them to such a low total, the message was clear – be positive but clinical.”
Dhoni’s Return as Captain Fails to Inspire
MS Dhoni’s return as CSK captain had generated considerable excitement among fans before the match. The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman, who has led CSK to multiple IPL titles, was expected to bring his trademark tactical acumen to turn around CSK’s fortunes. However, on this occasion, even his leadership couldn’t prevent a comprehensive defeat.
Dhoni’s own contribution with the bat was minimal, falling to a well-executed plan by Sunil Narine. His dismissal seemed to symbolize CSK’s struggle throughout the match – outthought and outplayed by a more prepared opposition.
At the post-match presentation, Dhoni acknowledged the superiority of KKR’s performance: “We were completely outplayed today. Sometimes you have to accept that the opposition was better in all departments. Our batting let us down, and once we posted such a low total, it was always going to be difficult to defend.”
The CSK captain also addressed the challenge of taking over the leadership mid-season: “It’s not ideal to change captains midway, especially due to an injury to a player like Ruturaj who was leading well. But we have to adapt and come back stronger in the next game.”
Injury Concerns for CSK Going Forward
The absence of regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad due to an elbow injury that has ruled him out for the remainder of the season adds to CSK’s growing list of concerns. Gaikwad had been in good form this season, providing stability at the top of the order while also making tactically astute decisions as captain.
His absence creates a significant void in the CSK batting lineup, putting additional pressure on the other batsmen to step up. The team management will need to quickly identify the right combination to fill this gap as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive.
“Losing Ruturaj is a big blow,” admitted CSK’s head coach. “He was not just our captain but also a key batsman who has been consistent at the top. But this is where the depth of our squad will be tested. We have talented players who now have the opportunity to step up and make their mark.”
KKR’s Balanced Team Composition
KKR’s comprehensive victory underscored the well-balanced nature of their squad in IPL 2025. With all-rounders like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Moeen Ali complementing specialist batsmen and bowlers, the team has multiple match-winners who can contribute in different conditions.
The bowling attack by Sunil Narine, Harshit Saxena and Moeen Ali, in particular, has shown remarkable adaptability, with the spinners dominant on turning tracks and pacers stepping up when conditions favor them. This versatility makes KKR a formidable opponent regardless of the venue or pitch conditions.
“Our strength is the balance in our squad,” said Rahane. “We have quality players for every situation, and today was a perfect example of how our spinners can dominate when conditions assist them. Sunil Narine and his all-round performance today epitomizes what we aim for – contributions from players in multiple disciplines.”
Impact on Points Table and Playoff Race
This resounding victory has significant implications for both teams in the IPL 2025 points table. KKR solidified their position in the top half of the table, with the substantial net run rate boost potentially proving valuable in the tight race for playoff spots.
For CSK, this defeat raises concerns about their ability to secure a playoff berth. With Gaikwad out for the season and confidence potentially dented after such a heavy loss at home, they face an uphill battle to regain momentum in their remaining matches.
“Every match is crucial now,” Dhoni emphasized. “We can’t afford to dwell on this defeat. We need to learn from it quickly and bounce back in our next game. This team has overcome challenges before, and we’ll look to do so again.”
Player of the Match: Sunil Narine’s All-Round Excellence
Unsurprisingly, Sunil Narine was named Player of the Match for his outstanding all-round performance. His contribution of 3/13 with the ball and 44 off 18 with the bat encapsulated KKR’s dominance in the match.
“It feels good to contribute in both departments,” Sunil Narine said during the presentation ceremony. “As a player, you always want to make a difference to your team’s success, and today was one of those days where everything clicked. The pitch suited my bowling, and then batting became easier with such a small target.”
Sunil Narine and his ability to impact matches with both bat and ball has made him one of the most valuable players in the IPL. His evolution as a batsman, in particular, has added a new dimension to his game, making him even more integral to KKR’s strategies.
Looking Ahead: What Next for Both Teams
For KKR, this victory provides momentum as they enter the middle phase of the tournament. With Sunil Narine and his all-round performance highlighting the team’s strengths, they will look to maintain consistency as they push for a top-two finish in the league stage.
“We won’t get carried away with one big win,” cautioned Rahane. “In IPL, momentum can shift quickly, so we need to stay focused on our processes and continue improving with each game. There’s still a long way to go in the tournament.”
CSK, meanwhile, face the challenge of regrouping after this heavy defeat. With Dhoni back at the helm, they will look to draw on his vast experience to navigate through this difficult period. The four-time champions have shown resilience in previous seasons and will need to call upon that fighting spirit once again.
“This is when character shows,” Dhoni reflected. “We’ve been in tough situations before and found ways to come back. It’s about taking one game at a time and focusing on the aspects we can control.”
Final Remarks: A Statement Win for KKR
KKR’s commanding victory over CSK will be remembered as one of the most clinical performances of IPL 2025. From restrictive bowling to aggressive batting, they excelled in all facets of the game, showcasing why they are considered serious contenders for the title this season.
Sunil Narine nad his all-round performance epitomized KKR’s dominance, highlighting his importance to the team’s fortunes. As the tournament progresses, his form will be crucial to KKR’s aspirations of lifting their third IPL trophy.
For CSK, this defeat serves as a wake-up call. With Dhoni back as captain, they have an experienced hand guiding them, but will need significant improvements across departments if they are to challenge for playoff qualification.
As IPL 2025 approaches its crucial middle phase, this result has added another intriguing dimension to what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.
