Chennai Super Kings hit historic low in IPL 2025 with crushing 8-wicket defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders as former teammate Manoj Tiwary slams tactical blunders and poor decision-making under Dhoni’s leadership.
Chennai, April 12 – Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered their most humiliating defeat in IPL history — by margin of balls remaining — as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) chased down a modest target of 104 in just 10.1 overs at the Chepauk Stadium on Friday. With just one win in six games, CSK now sit at the ninth spot on the IPL 2025 points table.
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Back at the helm after Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury, MS Dhoni’s return as CSK captain ended in disaster, with poor tactical calls drawing fierce criticism. One of the harshest came from former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary, who questioned the decision-making of CSK’s seasoned players, particularly Dhoni.
“Have their brains stopped working?” Tiwary remarked during a post-match discussion on Cricbuzz, voicing his disbelief at what he deemed “bizarre” strategies.
He pointed to CSK’s delay in bringing on Noor Ahmad, the tournament’s Purple Cap holder, who eventually dismissed Sunil Narine — but only after KKR had built momentum.
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“If spinners are dominating, why was Noor held back till the 8th over? These aren’t errors you expect from someone like Dhoni,” Tiwary said.
He also questioned Ravichandran Ashwin’s choice to bowl over the wicket to left-handers instead of around the stumps, making it easier for Narine to attack.
Narine’s All-Round Brilliance Destroys CSK
Sunil Narine delivered a match-winning performance with both bat and ball. His 3/13 spell strangled CSK’s middle order, and he followed it up with a blazing 44 off 19 balls, smashing five sixes and two boundaries in a ruthless powerplay assault.
KKR openers added 46 for the first wicket before Narine and Ajinkya Rahane (20)* solidified the chase with a 39-run partnership. Rinku Singh (15)* finished it in style, launching Ravindra Jadeja for a six as KKR wrapped up the game in just 10.1 overs, handing CSK a record-breaking defeat at home.
CSK’s Historic Collapse
This is the first time CSK have lost three consecutive matches at Chepauk in IPL history and one of their lowest-ever totals (103/9) at home. Dhoni managed just 1 run off 4 balls, coming in at No. 9 — a move that further baffled fans and critics alike.
CSK’s fifth loss in six games paints a grim picture as the five-time champions now battle to stay alive in IPL 2025. Meanwhile, KKR’s dominant win has taken them to third on the points table, boosting their net run rate significantly.
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MS Dhoni, CSK vs KKR, IPL 2025, Sunil Narine, Manoj Tiwary, Dhoni captaincy, Chennai Super Kings loss, IPL records, cricket controversy, Noor Ahmad, Rinku Singh, IPL Net Run Rate