IPL 2025: Sunil Narine’s All-Round Heroics Crush MS Dhoni’s CSK Comeback
NEW DELHI: In a night that was supposed to mark the triumphant return of MS Dhoni as captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), it was Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star Sunil Narine who stole the show with a breathtaking all-round performance at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk on Friday. KKR dismantled CSK with an eight-wicket victory in merely 10.1 overs, chasing down a paltry 104, as Narine’s heroics left the yellow brigade and their fans in stunned silence.
Dhoni, stepping back into the leadership role due to an injury to regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, was expected to weave his signature magic. However, the 43-year-old legend endured a forgettable night, scoring just 1 run off 4 balls before falling LBW to Narine in the 16th over. The moment Narine trapped Dhoni, a hush descended over Chepauk, encapsulating CSK’s dismal outing as they crumbled under pressure.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, KKR exploited the dry, turning track with a spin-heavy attack led by Narine. The West Indian mystery spinner was unplayable, finishing with figures of 3 for 13 in his 4 overs, tearing through CSK’s middle and lower order. His scalps included Rahul Tripathi, Ravindra Jadeja, and the prized wicket of Dhoni, effectively derailing CSK’s innings. Supporting Narine were Harshit Rana (2/16) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/22), who ensured no respite for the hosts.
CSK’s batting lineup faltered spectacularly, managing just 103/9—their lowest-ever total at Chepauk and the third-lowest in their IPL history. Only Shivam Dube, with an unbeaten 31, and Vijay Shankar, scoring 29, showed some fight amidst the collapse. The rest of the star-studded lineup, including names like Moeen Ali and Deepak Chahar, failed to counter KKR’s disciplined bowling attack on a challenging surface.
Not content with just dominating with the ball, Narine turned destroyer with the bat as well. Opening the chase for KKR, he unleashed a barrage of strokes, smashing 44 off just 18 balls, including 5 towering sixes and 2 boundaries. His explosive knock turned a modest target into a cakewalk, though he fell agonizingly short of a well-deserved half-century. By then, KKR were cruising towards victory.
Captain Ajinkya Rahane (20 not out) and the dynamic Rinku Singh (15 not out) polished off the chase with ease, with Singh sealing the win in style by smashing a six off Jadeja. The emphatic victory underscored KKR’s dominance and highlighted their lethal combination of spin bowling and aggressive batting in the IPL 2025 season.
For CSK, this defeat marks a low point in an already challenging campaign, with questions looming over their form and strategy. Dhoni’s much-anticipated return as captain, meant to inspire a turnaround, instead became a footnote in Narine’s masterclass. With this win, KKR climb to second place on the points table with 4 points from 2 matches, while CSK languish near the bottom, desperate for a spark.
In the end, it was unequivocally Sunil Narine’s night—a spellbinding display of skill with both ball and bat that not only muted the Dhoni fairytale but also sent a strong message to KKR’s rivals. As the IPL 2025 unfolds, Narine’s form will undoubtedly be a key factor in determining KKR’s fortunes in their quest for a fourth title.