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Kolkata Knight Riders Crush Chennai Super Kings: Sunil Narine Stars as CSK's Troubles Deepen in IPL 2025

Summary

The Chennai Super Kings' nightmare IPL 2025 season continued as they slumped to a heavy defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at their fortress, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Sunil Narine was the star of the show, dismantling CSK with both bat and ball to help KKR register a comprehensive eight-wicket victory. MS Dhoni’s return as CSK captain could not inspire a turnaround, as their batting collapsed miserably. Meanwhile, KKR dominated in all departments, with Narine’s all-round brilliance standing out in this one-sided contest.

Short Scorecard

Chennai Super Kings Innings: 103/9 (20 Overs)

• Shivam Dube – 31* (29)

• Vijay Shankar – 29 (21)

• Sunil Narine – 3/13 (4 overs)

• Varun Chakaravarthy – 2/22 (4 overs)

• Harshit Rana – 2/16 (4 overs)

Kolkata Knight Riders Innings: 107/2 (10.1 Overs)

• Sunil Narine – 44 (18)

• Quinton de Kock – 23 (16)

• Ajinkya Rahane – 20* (17)

• Anshul Kamboj – 1/19 (2 overs)

• Noor Ahmad – 1/8 (2 overs)

Result: Kolkata Knight Riders won by 8 wickets
Player of the Match: Sunil Narine

Game set and done in a thumping style ✅@KKRiders with a ???????????????????????? to remember as they secure a comprehensive 8️⃣-wicket victory ????

Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/gPLIYGiUFV#TATAIPL | #CSKvKKR pic.twitter.com/dADGcgITPW

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 11, 2025

CSK’s Batting Collapse Deepens Their IPL 2025 Crisis

Chennai Super Kings’ decision to bat first after losing the toss was marred by yet another top-order disaster. Their innings never really got going, as KKR’s bowlers, led by Sunil Narine, dismantled their batting line-up. Narine’s magic returned to haunt CSK yet again, scalping three crucial wickets for just 13 runs.

Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway looked completely out of touch against the swinging ball and spin threat. CSK’s usually reliable middle-order could not rescue them either. Shivam Dube’s unbeaten 31 was the only resistance in an otherwise forgettable innings that barely crossed the 100-run mark.

Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy provided excellent support to Narine, ensuring CSK never recovered from their early jolts.

Sunil Narine Turns Back the Clock with the Bat

If CSK thought their horror show was limited to batting, Sunil Narine had other plans. The West Indian all-rounder opened the innings with Quinton de Kock and gave KKR a lightning-fast start, smashing 44 runs in just 18 deliveries. His knock included five towering sixes and two boundaries, effectively ending any hopes CSK had of a miracle comeback.

Narine’s brutal assault completely took the Chepauk crowd out of the game. Once Narine departed, Ajinkya Rahane and Rinku Singh ensured there were no further hiccups, guiding KKR to a thumping eight-wicket win within just 10.1 overs.

MS Dhoni's Return as Captain Fails to Lift CSK Spirits

Despite MS Dhoni taking over the captaincy duties after Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury blow, CSK’s woes continued. The five-time champions now find themselves languishing in the bottom half of the IPL 2025 points table with just one win from six games.

Dhoni’s strategic moves, such as deploying Ravichandran Ashwin early or using Noor Ahmad against Narine, failed to make an impact. The CSK batting unit looks brittle, and their bowling lacks penetration on batting-friendly pitches.

This match was another harsh reminder for CSK that Dhoni’s presence alone won’t be enough unless their senior players start delivering consistent performances.

KKR’s Balanced Attack Proves Too Hot to Handle

Kolkata Knight Riders have been clinical in their recent matches, and this game against CSK was no different. Vaibhav Arora’s early strikes, combined with Moeen Ali’s control and the guile of Varun Chakaravarthy and Narine, showcased their bowling depth.

KKR’s fielding was sharp, their bowling plans well-executed, and their batting, led by Narine’s explosive start, made the chase a mere formality.

Ajinkya Rahane’s cool-headed leadership, combined with aggressive batting strategies, has given KKR an edge in crucial games, positioning them well in the IPL 2025 playoff race.