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The Chennai Super Kings' batting performance in their IPL 2025 match against the Kolkata Knight Riders was nothing short of abysmal. Playing their sixth match of the season, the five-time champions managed a paltry 32 runs in the powerplay, losing one crucial wicket in the process. This marked their second-lowest powerplay score of the entire season, a statistic that starkly highlights the team's ongoing struggles with the bat. The occasion was particularly significant as it marked the return of the legendary MS Dhoni as captain, a move that was expected to galvanize the team and inspire a much-needed turnaround in their fortunes. However, Dhoni's return proved to be a damp squib, as the team put on a display of batting incompetence that left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. From the very beginning, there was a palpable lack of intent and confidence in the CSK top order. Batsmen appeared hesitant and unsure of themselves, failing to assert any kind of dominance over the KKR bowling attack. The team crawled to a mere 18 runs for the loss of one wicket by the end of the fifth over, a clear indication of their struggles to get the innings going. The absence of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had been ruled out of the season due to a hairline fracture in his right elbow, was keenly felt at the top of the order. His replacement, Rahul Tripathi, failed to make any significant impact, struggling to find his rhythm and contributing little to the team's cause. The opening partnership of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra also failed to provide the solid foundation that the team desperately needed. While Conway initially showed some signs of promise, he was soon dismissed by Moeen Ali, his former CSK teammate, after attempting a reverse sweep. Ravindra, who has been struggling for form throughout the IPL 2025 season, also fell cheaply, further compounding the team's woes. Adding insult to injury, MS Dhoni himself, returning to lead the side, failed to make a significant contribution with the bat. Walking in at number nine, he managed only a solitary run before being dismissed by Sunil Narine, a moment that encapsulated the team's overall struggles on the day. Dhoni's dismissal marked the first time he had been dismissed for a single-digit score in the 2025 IPL season, a statistic that further underscored the extent of CSK's batting collapse. The Super Kings' dismal performance was further exemplified by their inability to find the boundary for a staggering stretch of 17 deliveries during the powerplay. This telling statistic perfectly summed up the mood at Chepauk, the team's home ground, where the once-vibrant atmosphere had been replaced by a palpable sense of disappointment and frustration. The home crowd, known for its unwavering support of the team, fell silent as they witnessed yet another dismal batting performance from their beloved Super Kings.
The Chennai Super Kings' innings continued to unravel after the powerplay, with wickets falling at regular intervals. The team lost eight wickets, including that of their Impact Player, without even managing to cross the 80-run mark. This highlighted the depth of their batting woes and the lack of any significant resistance from the middle and lower order. A particularly damning statistic was the team's boundary drought, which lasted for a staggering 49 deliveries, spanning overs 6 to 16. During this barren stretch, Shivam Dube, who was holding fort at one end, could do little but watch as wickets tumbled in a heap at the other. This emphasized the lack of support he received from his teammates and the overall inability of the team to build partnerships. Vijay Shankar, despite being handed two reprieves, failed to capitalize on his opportunities and convert his start into a meaningful innings. He contributed 29 runs from 21 balls, but his innings ultimately lacked the substance and impact that the team desperately needed. Rahul Tripathi, returning to the playing XI in place of the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, looked completely out of sorts. The Maharashtra batter struggled to get going, managing just 16 runs from 22 deliveries. His lack of fluency and inability to score freely further compounded the team's batting struggles. Even Ravichandran Ashwin, who was promoted to number six in the batting order, failed to make a significant contribution. He could only muster a single run from seven deliveries, highlighting the team's overall lack of firepower. The contributions of Ravindra Jadeja and Deepak Hooda were equally disappointing. Hooda, who was brought in as the Impact Player, was dismissed for a duck, further deepening CSK's batting collapse. This highlighted the failure of the team's strategic decisions to pay off and the overall lack of depth in their batting lineup. Ultimately, the Chennai Super Kings were restricted to a paltry 103 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. This marked their lowest total at home in the history of the IPL, a statistic that underscored the magnitude of their batting failure. Before this match, CSK's lowest total at Chepauk was 109 all out, which they had recorded in 2019 against the Mumbai Indians. The fact that they managed to score even fewer runs in this match against the Kolkata Knight Riders was a clear indication of their struggles and the extent of their batting woes.
The abysmal showing in the powerplay came just minutes after MS Dhoni had urged his team to make a stronger start with both bat and ball. When asked about CSK’s persistent struggles in the early overs, Dhoni stressed the need for sharper intent and better execution – a message that clearly went unheeded. This highlighted the disconnect between the team's intentions and their actual performance on the field. Despite Dhoni's words of encouragement, the players failed to translate his message into tangible results. The Super Kings sorely missed Ruturaj Gaikwad at the top of the order. His replacement, Rahul Tripathi, who came in at No. 3, failed to find any rhythm during the powerplay. Gaikwad had earlier been ruled out of the season with a hairline fracture in his right elbow, dealing a significant blow to CSK's already faltering batting line-up. The absence of Gaikwad was not the sole reason for the poor performance. The entire batting lineup crumbled under pressure, failing to adapt to the conditions and execute their plans effectively. Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra opened the innings with a cautious approach, managing only 10 runs from the first two overs. Just as Conway began to look comfortable, he was dismissed by Moeen Ali. The New Zealand opener attempted a reverse sweep but was trapped leg-before by his former CSK team-mate in the fourth over. Things unravelled quickly from there. Rachin Ravindra, who has struggled to find form in IPL 2025, was removed by Harshit Rana in the same over. Vijay Shankar, meanwhile, was handed a lifeline as KKR dropped him on zero – a reprieve that could have proven costly but ultimately made little difference. CSK failed to find the boundary for a stretch of 17 deliveries during the powerplay – a telling statistic that summed up the mood at Chepauk. The home crowd fell silent, left to witness yet another dismal batting performance from their side. The overall performance was a stark reminder of the challenges that CSK faces in the absence of key players and the need for a significant improvement in their batting approach if they are to turn their fortunes around in the IPL 2025 season. The team must address its batting woes, rediscover its confidence, and find a way to execute its plans more effectively in order to compete with the other top teams in the league.
Source: IPL 2025: MS Dhoni fails with bat on captaincy return in horror CSK batting show