That's a wrap for today's IPL 2025 action. A complete one-sided affair, with KKR outclassing CSK at their own den. Join us tomorrow for a Super Saturday, as Lucknow Super Giants take on Gujarat Titans, and Sunrisers Hyderabad host Punjab Kings.

Thank you. Goodnight!

L, W, L, W, L, W. Kolkata Knight Riders have won every alternate game in IPL 2025, but are still very much in the playoff hunt. They take on in-form Punjab Kings at Mullanpur next, on April 15, against former skipper Shreyas Iyer.

"Quite a few nights haven't gone our way. Need to look deep down inside," says MS Dhoni after the defeat. CSK have arguably beenthe worst team in the tournament, with their batting let them down time and time again. 

A lot for Dhoni and co. to think about when they take on LSG on Monday, April 14.

Chennai Super Kings have been completely and utterly outplayed by KKR tonight. Their team just does not look like one suited for T20 cricket, and the batting has let them down yet again. 5 straight losses, and for the first-time ever, three defeats in a row at home.

A terrible return to captaincy for MS Dhoni.

Complete domination with ball and bat. KKR have had a topsy-turvy season, but their wins have been convincing. A huge net-run-rate boost as well, and they provisionally rise up to 3rd in the IPL 2025 table. Narine shone with a sensational all-round play, and everyone chipped in too.

Victory for Kolkata Knight Riders! Rinku Singh smashes one out of the park, KKR have chased it down in just 10.1. They've utterly outclassed CSK at their own den, who slump to their fifth-straight defeat.

KKR 107/2 (10.1) beat CSK 103/9 (20) by 8 wickets.

First boundary for Rinku Singh. Doesn't get the entire timing on it, but enough to send it through mid-wicket for 4. 6 comes off the over, KKR are one hit away from an excellent victory at the Chepauk stadium.

KKR 98/2 (10)

CSK put down a catch. Vijay Shankar at long on the culprit. Rahane didn't time Ashwin's delivery that well, but survives here. Another economical over on the whole, just 5 off it. KKR need 12 more to win.

KKR 92/2 (9)

Narine gone! Noor Ahmad strikes first ball. Narine won't get to his half-century, but he's done his job. 3 wickets with the ball, 44 runs with the bat. KKR are cruising to victory against CSK. The visitors have sent Rinku Singh up the order!

KKR 85/2 (7.1)

Sunil Narine looks in terrific form today. 3 wickets with the ball, and he is now up to 44 with the bat off just 17 balls. Two sixes off Ashwin, one over square-leg and the next over long-off. KKR need just 19 more runs for victory.

KKR 85/1 (7)

Narine ends the over with another boundary. Through deep square leg for 4. 18 comes off Khaleel's third over, rare bad day for him. KKR need just 33 runs to win, with 14 overs remaining. 

KKR 71/1 (6)

What a shot! Ajinkya Rahane sends Khaleel over the ropes at deep square leg for a maximum. Terrific timing by the KKR captain. KKR continue the quick flow of runs, as they romp towards victory. And Narine now! 6 more, between mid-wicket and long on.

KKR 66/1 (5.4)

Glorious from Ajinkya Rahane. Classy straight drive to get off the mark. 50 up for KKR in just 4.3 overs. Tricky wicket, but the openers have done a superb job to relieve any pressure that could've been put on them.

KKR 53/1 (5)

BOWLED! Anshul Kamboj gets his first wicket in CSK colours. Bit of a blind swing by De Kock, misses the delivery completely and sees the stumps dismantled. First wicket for the home side, but de Kock has done well.

KKR 46/1 (4.1)

Sunil Narine is going berserk! Welcomes Ashwin with a drive through the covers, and now pummells him over fine leg for 6. Superb start by KKR, showing the home side how to bat on a difficult wicket.

KKR 46/0 (4)

Quinton de Kock is feasting here. Took a few balls to settle in, but he's now sent Khaleel to the cleaners. A second six of the over, third one tonight. Pitched very short, and hooked over fine leg for a maximum. Ashwin will bowl the next over.

KKR 34/0 (3)

One more maximum for Quinton de Kock. Second one of the evening. Pick-up shot, over fine-leg. Same approach as the one that was saved by Kamboj, but this one was hit harder and sails into the stands.

KKR 28/0 (2.4)

Sensational work in the deep by Anshul Kamboj at fine-leg. Almost the catch of the tournament! De Kock smashed it hard, and it was almost certainly going to be a six. Kamboj gets his right hand to it, and saves 3 runs. Earns the applause of the CSK unit.

KKR 20/0 (2.1)

Quinton de Kock now takes his chance! Pitched short-ish by Anshul Kamboj and de Kock helps it over square-leg, all the way. Next ball is poor too, as Kamboj oversteps and concedes a no-ball. Fortunately for CSK, de Kock is unable to maximize the free-hit.

KKR 15/0 (1.2)

Khaleel was bowling a great over to Quinton de Kock, but Sunil Narine smashes a six on his very first ball. Excellent shot, over mid-wicket. Pressure on the South African, but Narine makes sure they get some runs at the first.

KKR 7/0 (1)

Khaleel Ahmed is set to take the new ball. 6 wickets in the powerplay in IPL 2025, he has had an impressive season. Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine are out to open the batting for the men in purple, as expected.

CSK must go for an out-of-the-box strategy with their bowling today. Maybe hand the opening overs to a spinner. Remember, they won't have Pathirana either, because they used Hooda as an impact batter. With KKR likely to open with two left-handers, perhaps Dhoni can deploy Ashwin in the powerplay again.

MS Dhoni's dismissal will be looked back with doubt. There seemed to be a faint spike on UltraEdge as the ball passed the bat, but it was deemed inconclusive by the umpire. Could CSK have scored 20-25 more had he stayed? It's a big 'what if'.

An outstanding bowling performance by the Knight Riders. From choosing to open the bowling with Moeen Ali, to Harshit Rana's decisiveness, and the spin duo of Narine and Chakravarthy. The pitch is paradise for bowlers, but surely 104 should be chased down.

Lowest-ever total at home for CSK. Some boundaries at the end by Shivam Dube to help them past the 100-run mark, but a batting display to forget nevertheless. Three wickets for Sunil Narine, who out-witted the middle order. Dube top-scores with 31.

CSK 103/9 (20 overs)

KKR Target: 104

Shivam Dube is adding some runs at the end here. Short delivery by Vaibhav Arora, Dube swings, top edge and it goes through fine leg for a boundary. CSK inching closer to the 100-run mark in the final stages.

CSK 97/9 (19.3)

Six runs off Harshit's final over. He ends with figures of 2/16, excellent bowling by the pacer. Should've picked a wicket more, had catches not been dropped. Dube is playing it out till the end, but CSK are still staring at their lowest-ever home total.

CSK 90/9 (19)

Shivam Dube picks up 4! Trying to up the scoring however much possible here. Two dots to start the over of Harshit, but Dube increases the score with a good shot down the ground. That was hit hard.

CSK 88/9 (18.3)

Noor Ahmad departs, Vaibhav Arora gets his first wicket of the night. CSK have avoided their lowest-ever IPL scoe, but CSK's lowest-ever total at home is 109 vs Mumbai Indians in 2019. That is still very much possible.

CSK 80/9 (17.3)

Chennai Super Kings' lowest-ever total in IPL history is 79. They're still four runs short of that score, and Shivam Dube is stranded at the other end. Chance for KKR to make history here. CSK are in tatters.

CSK 75/8 (15.3)

MS Dhoni OUT! LBW! Sunil Narine gets his third wicket. Trapped on the pads, umpire raised his finger, Dhoni went for the review. Minute spikes on UltraEdge as the ball passes the bat, but the umpire deems it inconclusive to overturn the decision. CSK are 8-down!

CSK 75/8 (15.3)

The Impact Player change has failed miserably. Deepak Hooda departs, Varun Chakravarthy gets his second wicket. A nothing shot by the out-of-form batter, and Vaibhav Arora takes a sharp diving catch at mid-wicket. And here comes Dhoni!

CSK 72/7 (14.2)

GONE! Jadeja tries to go for a cut, gets a soft edge and a sharp catch taken by Quinton de Kock. Sunil Narine gets his second wicket. And still no MS Dhoni! Deepak Hooda has walked in as the Impact Player at No. 8. That means no Matheesha Pathirana for CSK's bowling department today. 

CSK 71/6 (14)

Ravindra Jadeja has come in to bat at No. 7. MS Dhoni remains in the dressing room. CSK look completely out of sorts, and KKR are in supreme control. CSK's run-rate is under 5.4, they've looked clueless so far.

CSK 70/5 (13)

OUT! Ravichandran Ashwin looked totally uncomfortable at the crease, and departs for a 7-ball 1. Four dots in a row against Harshit Rana, tries to go big on the last ball of the over, but the timing is lacking. Harshit gets his second wicket.

KKR 70/5 (12.5)

Ravichandran Ashwin has been promoted up the order, and sent in to bat at No. 6, ahead of Dhoni and Jadeja. Dhoni batted as high as No. 5 in the previous game for CSK, so this is a unique strategy taken by the men in yellow.

Meanwhile, Moeen Ali completes his spell. 1/20 in 4 overs. Job well done.

CSK 69/4 (12)

Sunil Narine clean bowls Rahul Tripathi! Rahul Tripathi's painful knock at the crease ends. 22-ball 16 made by the right-hander. Gaikwad's replacement has not worked at all. Second wicket of the tournament for Narine. KKR fully on top.

CSK 65/4 (11)

KKR finally get the wicket of Vijay Shankar! Varun Chakravarthy strikes. Shankar looks to go for the big shot, but does not get the full connection on it. Straight to Moeen Ali and deep square leg. KKR get their third wicket inside the first 10 overs.

KKR 59/3 (9.4)

Tidy start to his spell by Sunil Narine. Concedes just 6 runs. He'll be hoping to make up with his bowling after dropping Shankar in the field earlier on. The mystery spinner has taken only one wicket so far this season.

CSK 56/2 (9)

First boundary for Rahul Tripathi. Helps bring up 50 for KKR. Two glaring opportunities put down by the team in purple. Could this come back to haunt them? For now, CSK's run-rate is barely at run-a-ball.

CSK 50/2 (8)

OH DEAR! This one is even more embarrassing. Another dreadful edge for Vijay Shankar, and this was literally a sitter. Venkatesh Iyer was on his knees, should've grabbed it but somehow lost sight of it completely. Harshit Rana is fuming, that's the second time Shankar has been dropped off his bowling.

CSK 46/2 (7.2)

Vijay Shankar is picking up a lot of momentum! First maximum of the CSK innings. Moeen comes back in for a third over, and Shankar slogs it over deep mid-wicket with power. Ramandeep Singh gave a good effort, but not enough.

Will Narine's dropped catch cost KKR?

CSK 40/2 (6.4)

Two fours in a row! Vijay Shankar picks up his first boundaries. Times the first one well off Varun Chakravarthy. Through the square-leg region, picks out the gap. Next one is hit with conviction, over the bowler's head for 4.

CSK 31/2 (6)

Oh dear, Sunil Narine, what have you done? Simple catch put down. Rana was about to get two in two as Shankar got a top edge. It should've been an easy grab for Narine, but he misjudges the flight of the ball and it goes begging.

Rana completes a great first over, giving away just 2 runs and taking a wicket.

CSK 18/2 (5)

OUT! Harshit Rana strikes first ball! Leading edge from Rachin Ravindra, sends it straight up, and Ajinkya Rahane is as safe as houses. CSK are falling apart here, MS Dhoni's captaincy return is not going to plan!

CSK 16/2 (4.1)

Moeen Ali gets Devon Conway! The Kiwi goes for the reverse sweep, misses it, and is trapped on the pads. The umpire raises his finger immediately, but Conway has now taken a DRS review. And it's unsuccessful. Umpire's call!

KKR's tactic to open the bowling with Moeen has worked!

CSK 16/1 (3.1)

Chennai Super Kings still not able to get going. Just 16 runs off the first three overs. The pitch is definitely one that will help the bowlers, and this is a good opening spell by Vaibhav Arora. Moeen Ali to continue from the other end.

CSK 16/0 (3)

It's a slow start by Chennai Super Kings in the powerplay, and Ravi Shastri has sent a clear message to the men in yellow. "Time to go big," says Shastri to the Dhoni-led side. Ravindra and Conway going at less than run-a-ball.

And now Conway picks up 4! Straight drive, hit back with power.

CSK 15/0 (2.4)

Moeen Ali has taken the new ball from the other end. KKR looking to attack two left-handers with the off-spinner. Rachin Ravindra thought he'd got a boundary, but a superb piece of fielding by Rinku Singh at cover. Diving effort!

CSK 9/0 (1.4)

First boundary for the men in yellow! Devon Conway offered width by Vaibhav Arora, and the Kiwi southpaw pounces on it. Frees his arms, glorious cover drive for 4. CSK need the two openers to contribute well.

CSK 5/0 (0.4)

Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway come out to open for Chennai Super Kings. Expect Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana to take the new ball for Kolkata Knight Riders. CSK off the mark on ball 1, with Rachin.

CSK 1/0 (0.1)

Any score of 170 or more should be more than respectable. With sticky conditions, long boundaries and high quality spinners in both teams, this should be a hard-fought contest between two sides with similar strengths.

MS Dhoni's batting position is something that will cause debate today. Will be interesting to see whether he comes in to bat ahead of Jadeja today. Remember, he came in at No. 5 in the previous run chase.

Without Ruturaj Gaikwad, there will a lot of pressure on Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra to make a good start for Chennai Super Kings. With the middle order not in the best of form, this is a game where the openers must step up.

Kolkata Knight Riders XI vs CSK: Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Moeen Ali, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora.

Chennai Super Kings XI vs KKR: Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (c/wk), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana.

MS Dhoni at the toss: "We were looking to bat first. Ruturaj has something-elbow fracture. We have lost too many matches, and it is important to do the basics right. Have dot balls, take our catches. Our batters are more authentic, they're not sloggers. They need to back their instincts."

Chennai Super Kings make two changes to their playing XI: Anshul Kamboj comes in for Mukesh Chaudhary and Rahul Tripathi comes in as a direct swap for Ruturaj Gaikwad. 

KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane has won the toss, and opted to bowl! MS Dhoni loses toss on his return as captain for Chennai Super Kings. KKR bring in Moeen Ali in place of Spencer Johnson in their playing XI.

MS Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane are at the pitch for the toss. It will be interesting to see what is decided, and what changes are made.

We are just 10 minutes away from seeing MS Dhoni walk out as captain once again for Chennai Super Kings. Ajinkya Rahane is expected to join him at the toss. The winner of the toss is expected to elect to bowl first.

Here's Kolkata Knight Riders' probable XII vs CSK: Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Moeen Ali, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora.

Here's Chennai Super Kings' probable XII vs KKR: Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (c/wk), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana.

KKR have stuck with their tried-and-tested first XI for majority of the season, making very few changes despite the topsy-turvy form. However, ex-CSK player Moeen Ali might return to KKR's XI looking at the spin-friendly conditions at Chepauk. In that case, Spencer Johnson would likely be left out.

Apart from replacing Gaikwad, CSK may look to alter their bowling combination. The highly-rated Anshul Kamboj may be given a game, with Mukesh Chaudhary having failed to impress so far this season. The spin combination is likely to stay the same.

Chennai Super Kings will have the big Ruturaj Gaikwad-sized hole to fill in their XI. Rahul Tripathi is the straight-forward choice, whilst Deepak Hooda may also be considered. CSK may also take a punt on uncapped powerhitter Vansh Bedi.

While CSK will be buoyed by the return of Dhoni as captain, KKR will be looking to return to winning ways. They fell short of a sensational chase of 239 by just 4 runs against LSG, and will be hoping to come back strongly today.

Led by Rahane, and boasting spinners like Narine and Chakravarthy, KKR could feel at home at Chepauk.

MS Dhoni can become the owner of two big records today, as he makes his comeback as CSK captain:

1) Oldest-ever IPL captain, breaking his own record

2) First 'uncapped' player to captain in IPL

In case you're tuning in now, today marks the return of MS Dhoni as CSK captain, following an injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad. CSK have lost four matches in a row, and the onus is now on their most-successful son to turn things around yet again.

Today should be a closely-fought battle between two teams whose strengths suit the spin-friendly conditions at the Chepauk stadium. CSK have Noor, Jadeja and Ashwin, while KKR will likely go with Narine, Chakravarthy and ex-CSK player Mooen Ali.

KKR have retained many players of their title-winning core but many of them haven't yet hit peak form. Sunil Narine looks less lethal with the ball, Andre Russell seems to have lost his form with the bat, and the likes of Venkatesh Iyer have blown hot and cold.

Several big-name CSK stars are in poor form. Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin, who cost the franchise a combined Rs 27.75 crore, have not been able to deliver their best form for the team this year. Even Rachin Ravindra has suffered a slump after a good start.

MS Dhoni will be hoping to get the best out of Jadeja and Ashwin starting today.

CSK hold a massive edge over KKR when it comes to the IPL head-to-head record of both teams. In 30 games, CSK have won 19, while KKR have won only 10. One much has finished in a no-result. At the Chepauk stadium, it is an 8-3 advantage for the team in yellow.

CSK's opponents tonight, reigning champs Kolkata Knight Riders, have had a topsy-turvy start to the season, winning every alternate game. They find themselves in 6th spot, having won twice and lost three. But facing CSK at Chepauk will be a tough battle for the Knight Riders.

Surely, MS Dhoni's return as captain puts any retirement rumours surrounding him to bed. With Dhoni's parents attending CSK's previous game, there was talk about him retiring. However, with Dhoni taking over as CSK captain, the retirement rumours can rest for now.

Chennai Super Kings have been in dreadful form in IPL 2025. After a narrow win over arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in their first match, CSK have lost 4 in a row, being completely outclassed in two of them. They are languishing in 9th spot on the IPL table, and desperately need a run of wins to keep their playoff hopes alive.

And in case you've forgotten, let's take a look back at MS Dhoni's remarkable captaincy record in IPL. 133 wins, 12 playoffs in 14 seasons, 10 finals, 5 titles, and the best win percentage of any captain who's led in over 10 IPL games.

Simply ridiculous.

CSK's regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has suffered a season-ending elbow injury, the franchise confirmed in a statement on Thursday. He had suffered a hit on the elbow when CSK took on RR, but it is unconfirmed whether that is the reason.

MS Dhoni has taken over as the captain for the rest of the year, instead of someone else being appointed.

With this return, Dhoni is set to create not one, but two records! Having been retained as an 'uncapped' player, he will become the first captain in IPL history to have an uncapped status and lead a franchise. Secondly, at 43 years, 9 months and 4 days old, MS Dhoni will break his own record of being the oldest captain in IPL history.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is back as the captain of Chennai Super Kings. That is enough to make anyone hyped for today's match. Unfortunately, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been confirmed to suffer a season-ending injury, and as a result, 43-year-old Dhoni takes over the reigns at CSK once more!

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the IPL 2025 clash between five-time champions Chennai Super Kings and reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders. Today is possibly the most anticipated match of the season!