Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni added crucial runs to keep the chase alive, while debutant Urvil Patel delivered a stunning cameo, smashing 31 off just 11 balls, to seal the win
Pic: IPL/X
Kolkata Knight Riders are virtually out of contention for the IPL 2025 playoffs after suffering a heart-breaking last-over defeat to Chennai Super Kings in a high-pressure clash at Eden Gardens.
Chasing 180, CSK found themselves in deep trouble at 60 for five. However, a blistering 22-ball fifty from Dewald Brevis turned the tide dramatically. His onslaught included a game-changing 30-run over against pacer Vaibhav Arora. Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni added crucial runs to keep the chase alive, while debutant Urvil Patel delivered a stunning cameo, smashing 31 off just 11 balls, to seal the win.
Earlier, CSK’s left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad delivered a match-defining spell, leveraging Eden Gardens’ spin-friendly conditions. Ahmad’s figures of 4 for 31 were instrumental in restricting KKR to 179 for 6. After KKR posted a commanding 67 for one in the powerplay, Ahmad shifted the momentum immediately after field restrictions eased. He removed Sunil Narine for 26 with a clever delivery that beat the bat, resulting in a sharp stumping by Dhoni. Just four balls later, he dismissed Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who edged behind, giving CSK a vital double breakthrough.
KKR’s scoring pace stagnated in the middle overs as they went 24 consecutive balls without a boundary. The pressure mounted, and the team struggled to accelerate. Andre Russell, coming off a match-winning knock in the previous game, briefly reignited hope by taking on Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad with clean hitting. However, Ahmad outsmarted Russell with a deceptive googly, ending his 38-run innings off 21 balls. The Afghan spinner capped his impactful spell by dismissing Rinku Singh, crippling KKR’s middle order.
From 67 for 1 after six overs, KKR managed just 112 runs in the final 14 overs as CSK’s spinners tightened their grip. Only 55 runs came off the last five overs, underlining the effectiveness of CSK's disciplined bowling on a surface that offered grip and turn.
KKR had won the toss and batted with intent, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz launching an early assault before falling to Anshul Kamboj. Ajinkya Rahane and Narine kept the scoreboard ticking in the powerplay, but once the field spread, CSK’s spin trio, Jadeja (1/34), Ashwin (0/19), and Ahmad, took control and dictated terms.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
