IPL 2025: MS Dhoni fails with bat on captaincy return in horror CSK batting show

IPL 2025, CSK vs KKR: MS Dhoni, walking at No. 9, managed just 1 run before he was dismissed by Sunil Narine. CSK were restricted to 103 for 9 in 20 overs -- their lowest total at Chepauk in the history of the Indian Premier League.

In Short

• MS Dhoni was dismissed by Sunil Narine for 1 in Chennai
• Barring Vijay Shankar, none of the other CSK batters got going
• CSK managed just 18 runs in their first five overs with the bat

Chennai Super Kings' batting woes continued in IPL 2025 as the five-time champions registered their second-lowest powerplay total of the season in their sixth match, against Kolkata Knight Riders. The disappointing performance came on a significant occasion — MS Dhoni’s return as captain. CSK managed just 32 runs in the powerplay, losing one wicket. By the end of the fifth over, they were crawling at 18 for 1, with a clear lack of intent and confidence visible once again in their top order.

MS Dhoni, returning to lead the side, walked in at No. 9 and managed only a solitary run before falling to Sunil Narine, as CSK slumped to 75 for 8 in the 16th over. It marked the first time Dhoni had been dismissed for a single-digit score in the 2025 season of the IPL. | CSK vs KKR, IPL 2025 Updates |

Eventually, CSK were restricted to 103 for 9 in 20 overs -- their lowest total at home in the history of the IPL. Before Friday, CSK's lowest at Chepauk was 109-all out in 2019 against Mumbai Indians.

The abysmal showing in the powerplay came just minutes after 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 s the need the stressed the need for sharper intent and better execution — a message that clearly went unheeded.

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.

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.

LOWEST TOTALS IN POWERPLAY FOR CSK IN IPL 2025

1. 30 for 3 against RCB in Chennai
2. 31 for 2 against KKR in Chennai
3. 42 for 1 against RR in Guwahati
4. 46 for 3 against DC in Chennai

Nothing went right for the Super Kings with the bat on Friday, as they lost eight wickets - including that of their Impact Player - without even managing to cross the 80-run mark.

CSK endured a boundary drought that lasted 49 deliveries, spanning overs 6 to 16. During this barren stretch, Shivam Dube, holding fort at one end, could do little but watch as wickets tumbled in a heap at the other.

Vijay Shankar contributed 29 runs from 21 balls, but the all-rounder - who was handed two reprieves - failed to convert his start into a meaningful innings. Rahul Tripathi, returning to the playing XI in place of Ruturaj Gaikwad, looked completely out of sorts. The Maharashtra batter struggled to get going, managing just 16 runs from 22 deliveries.

Ravichandran Ashwin, promoted to No. 6, could only muster a single run from seven deliveries, while Ravindra Jadeja and Deepak Hooda added to the woes. Hooda, brought in as the Impact Player, was dismissed for a duck, deepening CSK's batting collapse.

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