IPL 2025: CSK Suffer Historic Humiliation at Chepauk Against Rampant KKR
In a nightmarish outing at their fortress, the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) endured a crushing eight-wicket defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025 season. This loss marked an unprecedented low for the five-time champions, as they recorded their first-ever three consecutive home defeats in IPL history and extended their losing streak to five matches this season.
Under the returning captaincy of the legendary MS Dhoni, who stepped in after regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was sidelined with a tournament-ending injury, CSK’s performance was anything but inspiring. Batting first after losing the toss, the Yellow Army crumbled to a paltry 103 for nine—their lowest-ever total at Chepauk and the third-lowest in their IPL history. This score also stands as the lowest by any team in the ongoing IPL 2025 season.
CSK’s batting collapse was orchestrated by a relentless KKR bowling attack, with spinners and pacers alike exploiting the frailties of a struggling lineup. Dhoni, coming in at an unusual number nine, could only muster one run off four balls before being dismissed in the 16th over, leaving fans in disbelief at the dire state of the team.
In contrast, KKR made light work of the modest target, chasing it down in just 10.1 overs. The explosive Sunil Narine set the tone with a blistering 44 off 18 balls, smashing two fours and five towering sixes to dismantle CSK’s bowling unit. He was ably supported by captain Ajinkya Rahane, who remained unbeaten on 20 off 17 balls, and opener Quinton de Kock, who contributed a quickfire 23. Rinku Singh added the finishing touches with an unbeaten 15 off 12 balls, ensuring a clinical victory for the Knight Riders.
This match was expected to be a turning point for CSK, with Dhoni’s return to leadership raising hopes of a revival. However, the team’s performance fell woefully short of expectations, exposing deep-rooted issues in their batting and overall strategy. Historically, Chepauk has been a fortress for CSK, with a win percentage of over 70% in IPL matches prior to this season. Yet, this string of defeats has shattered that aura of invincibility.
For KKR, this victory reinforces their position as one of the frontrunners in IPL 2025. Their balanced squad, combining explosive batting with a disciplined bowling attack, has now secured them five wins in their last six matches, making them a formidable force as the tournament progresses.
As CSK lick their wounds, questions loom large over their form and morale. Can Dhoni, the master tactician, inspire a turnaround, or is this the beginning of a prolonged slump for one of IPL’s most successful franchises? With tough fixtures ahead, including a clash against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians, the road to redemption looks steep for the men in yellow.