Follow UsChennai Super Kings (CSK) could only manage 31/2 in the powerplay, eventually finishing with 103/9 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (2025) at Chepauk on April 11 (Saturday). Unsurprisingly, CSK have the worst scoring rate (7.5) in the powerplay in the IPL 2025.
Chennai could only hit one six in the entire innings against KKR, who chased down the total in just 10.1 overs - the second-fastest 100-plus run chase in the IPL. After CSK’s fifth defeat of the IPL 2025, captain MS Dhoni said they don’t have the openers who could score 60 in the powerplay on a consistent basis.
“What is important is to see the conditions, couple of games we have done decently well, back your strengths and play the shots you can play. Not match to someone's else play,” said Dhoni after CSK lost to KKR by eight wickets at their home.
“Our openers are good openers, play authentic cricket shots, they don't slog or look to hit across the line. It is important not to get desperate seeing the scorecard. If we start looking for 60 with our lineup it will be very difficult for us. Get partnerships going, maybe capitalise in the middle and later overs and if we lose wickets, the middle order has to do their job differently. And the slog will be delayed for quite a while.”
Talking about the loss, MSD added: “It has been quite a few nights that has not gone our way. The challenge has been there, we have to accept the challenge.
“Today I felt we did not have enough runs on the board. It has been the case over there, when we bowled in the second innings it stopped a bit, today it did in the first innings. When you lose too many wickets, there is pressure and with quality spinners it is difficult. We never got any partnerships and bit more partnerships, application and we would be fine.”
Meanwhile, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane said they had enough members in their camp with knowledge about conditions at Chepauk. “We had our plans. I have played here last two years, so has Moeen (Ali). DJ (Bravo) knows the conditions as well. The wicket is a bit sticky, the ball stops on you a bit. Credit goes to the spinners, our plans worked well today.”
Moeen, Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine claimed six wickets between them and conceded 55 runs across 12 overs. “Moeen played well - never easy to play just one game and then miss out, and then come back in. So did Sunny and Varun. Sunny went for runs in the last game but came back strong. So did Vaibhav and Harshit. All in all a good bowling performance,” said Rahane.