CSK vs KKR IPL 2025 Match Highlights: Kolkata’s Epic 8-Wicket Win at Chepauk

CSK vs KKR IPL 2025: Player of the match
On April 11, 2025, the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, fondly known as Chepauk, hosted the 25th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This wasn’t just another game—it was a rollercoaster of emotions, unexpected twists, and moments that left fans buzzing. With MS Dhoni back at the helm for CSK and KKR showcasing their strategic brilliance, the match had everything a cricket lover could ask for. Let’s dive into the heart of this clash, reliving the highs, lows, and unforgettable highlights that made it a night to remember.
CSK vs KKR : Toss and Team Plans
The evening kicked off with the toss, where KKR’s captain Ajinkya Rahane called it right and chose to bowl first. He believed Chepauk’s pitch might favor batsmen, but his bowlers could rattle CSK early. For CSK, the spotlight was on Dhoni’s return as captain—a moment that sent the yellow-clad crowd into a frenzy. Regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was sidelined for the season due to injury, paving the way for Dhoni’s comeback. CSK fielded a balanced side with Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhoni, Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, and Matheesha Pathirana. KKR, on the other hand, went with Quinton de Kock, Sunil Narine, Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, and Varun Chakravarthy.
CSK’s Batting: A Rocky Start
CSK’s innings began with openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra walking out to a roaring crowd. But KKR’s bowlers had other plans. Vaibhav Arora set the tone with tight lines, making life tough for the batsmen. In the fourth over, Conway fell, handing KKR an early breakthrough. Rachin tried to steady the ship alongside Vijay Shankar, but Harshit Rana struck in the next over, sending Rachin back to the pavilion. The pressure kept mounting, and Sunil Narine spun his magic, clean-bowling Rahul Tripathi for 16. That wicket hurt CSK, as Tripathi was expected to anchor the innings.
By the end of the powerplay, CSK were struggling at just 31 runs. Ravindra Jadeja and Deepak Hooda walked in, but both fell prey to Narine and Varun Chakravarthy without troubling the scorers. Then came the moment everyone was waiting for—Dhoni strode to the crease, and the stadium erupted. But the joy was short-lived. Narine trapped him lbw for just 1 run, leaving fans stunned and CSK reeling. It was a moment that silenced the Chepauk faithful, who had hoped for a vintage Dhoni knock.
Shivam Dube played a gritty cameo, scoring 31 off 29 balls to push CSK past 100. But it wasn’t enough. CSK folded for 103/9 in 20 overs—their lowest-ever total at Chepauk. Narine was the star, picking up 3 wickets for 13 runs in his 4 overs, while Chakravarthy and Rana chipped in with 2 wickets each. KKR’s disciplined bowling left CSK with little room to breathe.
KKR’s Chase: Explosive and Effortless
Chasing a modest 104, KKR came out all guns blazing. Openers Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock wasted no time, with Narine smashing a six off Khaleel Ahmed’s first ball. De Kock joined the party, hammering two sixes in the third over, piling pressure on CSK’s bowlers. By the powerplay’s end, KKR had raced to 71/1, signaling their intent to wrap things up quickly.
Ravichandran Ashwin leaked 12 runs in his first over, offering no respite. Anshul Kamboj provided a glimmer of hope for CSK by dismissing de Kock, but Narine kept the momentum going with some breathtaking shots that had even CSK fans clapping. Noor Ahmad eventually got Narine for a blazing 44 off 18 balls, but KKR were already within touching distance of victory.
Rinku Singh and Ajinkya Rahane calmly steered the chase, playing with composure. In Ravindra Jadeja’s over, Rinku sealed the deal with a towering six, sparking celebrations in the KKR camp. KKR chased down 107 in just 10.1 overs, losing only 2 wickets, to claim an emphatic 8-wicket win. The victory not only earned them two points but also boosted their net run rate significantly.
Scoreboard
Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Key Performers |
CSK | 103/9 | 20 | 9 | Shivam Dube (31 off 29) |
KKR | 107/2 | 10.1 | 2 | Sunil Narine (44 off 18), Q. de Kock |
Player of the Match | Sunil Narine | 3 wickets (4-0-13-3), 44 runs (18 balls) |
Memorable Moments
- Dhoni’s Captaincy Comeback: After 683 days, seeing Dhoni lead CSK again was pure magic for fans, even if the result didn’t go their way.
- Narine’s All-Round Brilliance: Narine’s 3 wickets and a fiery 44 earned him the Player of the Match award, turning the game single-handedly.
- CSK’s Record Low: Scoring just 103/9 at home was a rare low for CSK, exposing their batting frailties.
- KKR’s Lightning Chase: Finishing the chase with 59 balls to spare showcased KKR’s dominance and confidence.
- Rinku’s Final Flourish: Rinku Singh’s match-winning six was the perfect exclamation mark on KKR’s victory.
Wrapping It Up
While the match leaned heavily in KKR’s favor, it wasn’t short on drama or excitement. KKR proved why they’re serious contenders in IPL 2025, with their bowlers and batsmen firing in sync. For CSK, it was a tough day at the office, and they’ll need to regroup and rethink their approach. Dhoni’s return as captain lit up the stands, but the team couldn’t deliver the result fans hoped for. This clash at Chepauk will linger in fans’ minds, and CSK will be eager to bounce back stronger in their next outing.
FAQs About CSK vs KKR IPL 2025 Match at Chepauk
1. When and where was the CSK vs KKR IPL 2025 match played?
The match was played on April 11, 2025, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, also known as Chepauk, in Chennai.
2. Who won the CSK vs KKR match in IPL 2025?
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won the match by 8 wickets, chasing down CSK’s total of 103/9 in just 10.1 overs.
3. Why was MS Dhoni captaining CSK in this match?
MS Dhoni took over the captaincy because CSK’s regular captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, was ruled out of the entire IPL 2025 season due to an injury.
4. Who was the Player of the Match in the CSK vs KKR game?
Sunil Narine was named Player of the Match for his outstanding all-round performance, taking 3 wickets for 13 runs and scoring 44 runs off 18 balls.
5. What was CSK’s total score in the match?
CSK scored 103/9 in their 20 overs, which was their lowest-ever total at Chepauk.
6. How did KKR perform in their chase?
KKR chased down the target of 104 runs in 10.1 overs, losing only 2 wickets. Sunil Narine (44 off 18) and Quinton de Kock played key roles in the chase.
7. What were some key moments of the match?
Key moments included Dhoni’s return as captain, Narine’s all-round brilliance, CSK’s batting collapse, KKR’s rapid chase, and Rinku Singh’s match-winning six.
8. Who were the top performers for KKR in bowling?
Sunil Narine (3/13), Varun Chakravarthy (2 wickets), and Harshit Rana (2 wickets) were the standout bowlers for KKR.
9. Did MS Dhoni make a significant contribution in the match?
Unfortunately, Dhoni was dismissed for just 1 run, trapped lbw by Sunil Narine, which was a disappointing moment for CSK fans.
10. How did this match impact the teams’ standings?
KKR’s dominant win earned them two points and boosted their net run rate, strengthening their position in the IPL 2025 points table. For CSK, the loss highlighted the need to rework their batting strategy.